THE situation in Egypt is among the most closely watched events in the world today. Latest reports coming out of Cairo indicate that there is no letting up by the tens of thousands of protesters regarding demands that President Hosni Mubarak relinquish power as in the case of Tunisia, where the President was forced into demitting office and seek political asylum in Saudi Arabia. According to BBC reports, Egyptian anti-government protesters remain entrenched in Cairo’s main square despite the killing of three protesters in clashes with supporters of President Mubarak. In addition to those killed, hundred others were wounded as rival groups fought deadly battles on the streets, the worst of its kind that the country has ever seen.

QUOTE:The so-called ‘divine right to rule’ practiced by many Arab leaders are now under severe scrutiny. This is also facilitated by the information and communication technology where new ideas of leadership and governance are internalized by a growing number of people and who therefore are unprepared to accept old notions and concepts which were handed down to them by earlier generations.

The protesters are insisting that President Mubarak resign immediately as opposed to those who are sympathetic to Mubarak serving out his term in office due to end in September.
This incidentally would have been his fifth consecutive term in office, which meant that President Mubarak would have chalked up some thirty years in power. So far the protests have left in its wake over three hundred deaths, not to mention the hundreds more who were injured in one way or the other as a consequence of violent clashes between rival groups.
There is clearly a growing intolerance among the Egyptian masses over the manner in which President Mubarak has been exercising political power and the authoritarian nature in his exercise of power. There were also fears that Mubarak was grooming his son to take over the reins of power whenever he was prepared to demit office.
At 82 years, one would have expected that Mubarak would have been only too willing to pass on the mantle of leadership to a younger person but from all indications, he was not displaying any real intention of doing so. It took strong and militant action by the masses before he sacked his cabinet and made a public declaration that he would not seek re-election but insisted instead on serving out his term in office. Analysts are of the view that such declaration by the President may very well turn out to be a case of “too little too late”.
As to whether his desire to continue in office will prevail over an angry mass of protesters remains to be seen. One factor that seems to work in his favour is a fragmented opposition, which appears to lack any real structure and cohesion except for a common desire to see the back of President Mubarak.
Meanwhile, the standoff between the protesters and the administration remains tense. So far, the army has shown restraint in the manner in which it has been dealing with the situation, but as to whether this will continue remains to be seen.
Protesters are hoping that both the army and the police would be neutralized to a point where President Mubarak would be forced to accede to the demands of the opposition and demit office as in the case of Tunisia.
At the diplomatic level, the situation is not helpful to Mubarak with President Obama openly calling on Mubarak to allow for an orderly transition of power which must begin immediately.
Opposition leader Mohamed El Baradei dismissed Mubarak’s gesture as a trick to remain in power as protesters vowed to continue their protests until President Mubarak quits office. Similar sentiments were expressed by another opposition Movement Kifaya (Enough) opposition movement which stated clearly that Mr. Mubarak’s offer not to seek re-election was not enough. Protesters plan to march on the Presidential Palace if there is no movement on their demands for Mubarak to quit.
There are fears that the Tunisia revolution could spread to other countries of the Arab world, which are being ruled by leaders who have clung to power for decades by stifling the democratic will of the people. These fears are not unfounded as developments in Egypt, Yemen and more recently Jordan demonstrated.
One common trend in all of these developments is the fact that the masses are becoming increasingly intolerant of undemocratic and corrupt politicians. Part of this new radicalism is attributable to a more educated and hence critical mass of young people who are not afraid to challenge basic assumptions about man and society. The so-called ‘divine right to rule’ practised by many Arab leaders are now under severe scrutiny. This is also facilitated by the information and communication technology where new ideas of leadership and governance are internalized by a growing number of people and who therefore are unprepared to accept old notions and concepts which were handed down to them by earlier generations.
It is interesting to see how developments in Egypt and other Arab countries are unfolding. The apparent domino effect is already creating much angst among entrenched leaders. However, one thing is certain –  that is, a redefinition of power and governance that accords more with democratic forms of governance and an intolerance of entrenched and corrupt leadership.