Omar Suliman is the Egyptian intelligence chief and a key confidante of Mubarak. It is the first time since Mubarak took office in 1981 that he has appointed a vice president.
From Blake Hounshell, editor at Foreign Policy magazine: Big news on Omar Suleiman being named Egyptian VP. That means he's being tapped to take over. Some Egyptians like him; the Army supports him"
Saudi Arabia "strongly condemns" Egyptian unrest, calling protesters "infiltrators."
One questions that's being asked about Suleiman on social networks this morning: is appointing your intelligence chief the best way of placating protesters? More of a rhetorical question, actually.
From Al Jazeera's Ayman Mohyeldin: Egyptian protesters denounced Mubarak and Omar Suleiman in reax to news of him being sworn in as VP
The Telegraph calls Suleiman "one of the world's most powerful spy chiefs "
Al Jazeera's Ayman Mohyeldin is reporting that protesters continue trying to break into the Egytian ministry of the interior, as evening prayers conclude in Cairo.
BREAKING Al Jazeera: Omar Shafeeq is the new Prime Minister, asked to form government
From Foreign Policy's Blake Hounshell: New Egyptian PM is an Air Force guy; the Air Force has always been the most important wing of the Egyptian Military
Mubarak served in Egyptian Air Force too.
Several publications describing Shafeeq as popular and not viewed as corrupt by Egyptian people
BBC Arabic Service: Hosni Mubarak's two sons, Alaa and Gamal, have arrived in London.
Al Jazeera now reporting Mubarak's sons, Gamal and Aala, have arrived in London, England. Yesterday there were countless rumours Mubarak himself had left Egypt.
Reuters: Witnesses say Cairo residents are panicking over public security.... they hear gunshots and are seeing random fires and looting.
As Egypt's intelligence chief, Suleiman was in charge of the country's most important political security files, and was the mastermind behind the fragmentation of Islamist groups who led the uprising against the state in the 1990s. (Reuters)
By picking a VP it may be sign Mubarak may be ready to chose a successor or not run in Sept Presidential vote
Reuters: The Israeli Foreign Ministry has confirmed that family members of Israeli diplomats stationed in Egypt were evacuated from Cairo on a special flight on Saturday.
CNN: Egyptian police are firing on protesters near Interior Ministry in Cairo. Local time in Egypt now 6:40pm.
Al Jazeera reporting that antiquities have been damaged at the Egyptian National Museum as a result of looting
RT @bencnn Almost all police stations ransacked, arsenals looted. Suddenly weapons in the streets wielded by thugs. Where is the army? #Jan25 #Egypt
RT @bencnn Came to office by Cairo metro today. People talking about Mubarak as president IN THE PAST TENSE. For most I spoke, Mubarak is gone. #Jan25
From Al Jazeera: As protesters continue to defy curfew, a bystander in Cairo tells Al Jazeera that there are no police left in the capital. Formerly omnipresent traffic police are nowhere to be found. Reports suggest that private property is being seized in locations throughout Egypt.
Protesters in alexandria #Egypt received the announcement of Omar Suliman very negatively. #mubarak shud simply step downby IHamdy via twitter 1/29/2011 3:41:07 PM
Omar Suliman will serve the Military, State Security and Secret Services but not the People!by seiflotfy via twitter 1/29/2011 3:41:28 PM
Omar Suliman has only daughters, only reason Mubarak trusts him as a VP. Nothing has changed. Mubarak still hopes to install son Gamal.by Elsalameen via twitter 1/29/2011 3:41:45 PM
RT @octavianasr: From Cairo @AymanM reports that immediate protesters' reaction is denouncing Mubarak and the just sworn in VP Omar Suleiman. #Jan25by VanessaAKnox via twitter 1/29/2011 3:58:43 PM
RT @ShereefAbbas: Ahmed Shafiq is a war veteran. Mubarak is placing his best army buddies in key locations, just before he steps down or dies #Jan25by Organica_ via twitter 1/29/2011 4:04:24 PM
RT @BreakingNews: Plane carrying families of Israeli diplomats evacuated from #Egypt lands in Tel Aviv - Reutersby NickBaumann via twitter 1/29/2011 4:11:58 PM
RT @sharifkouddous: Crowd getting massive. A sea of people have filled Tahrir. #Egyptby blakehounshell via twitter 1/29/2011 4:12:03 PM
By picking a VP it may be sign Mubarak may be ready to chose a successor or not run in Sept Presidential voteby Stuart Greer via twitter 1/29/2011 4:19:02 PM
RT @kirstenpowers10: Our egyptian uncle in Cairo says Omar Suleiman is well respected and would be a good president. Says his appt to VP is good for Egypt.by TheAnchoress via twitter 1/29/2011 4:21:28 PM
my aunt lives next to presidential palace, she says she's hearing repeated gun battles #Jan25 #Egyptby sandmonkey via twitter 1/29/2011 4:30:50 PM
RT @sharifkouddous: People all over the tanks chanting 'The army and the people are one fist' #Egyptby ishtarmuz via twitter 1/29/2011 4:37:16 PM
