Following the resignation of President Hosni Mubarak, Egypt’s longest serving President, Obama praised the efforts of peaceful protestors of the “18-day revolution” and also promised that despite the upheaval that this might cause to America’s plans, assistance will be provided by the United States in order to speed up the transition between the military rule that it is under to a peaceful democracy.
Emphasizing the importance of bringing all of “Egypt’s voices to the table”, this would mean that several changes (as opposed to the last thirty years) will have to be made such as revising the Constitution, protecting the rights of Egyptian citizens, lifting emergency laws as well as holding elections in such a way that it is fair and free.
Obama also emphasized that laws have to put into place so that these changes can be made irreversible, and he would follow it up with both military and economic aid in the amount of $ 1.3 billion and $ 250 million as well.
In response to this statement made by Obama, the states of Israel and Saudi Arabia have not been receptive to this change in approach by President Obama stating that he has abandoned a long-time ally without providing guarantees that Egypt would not be taken over by religious extremists.
However, all this turmoil in the Middle East has one positive note for White House officials: the effects that this uprising has caused for Iranian leaders. And with Vice President Joe Biden Jr. and President Obama soliciting freedom in Iran and in Egypt (in different ways, no doubt), there is no doubt that the future of Egypt lies in the hands of its people from here on.