After nearly two weeks of protests that have shaken Egypt to its core, the ruling party’s leadership up and quit yesterday, handing a major victory to those thirsting to end President Hosni Mubarak’s 30-year reign.
Mubarak’s son, Gamal, resigned his post in the National Democratic Party — an action which bars him from running for president in September’s elections. Also gone is party Secretary-General Safwat el-Sharif.
“We view this as a positive step toward the political change that will be necessary,” said an Obama administration official.
Meanwhile, the Muslim Brotherhood has joined other opposition groups in talks with Egypt’s Vice President Omar Suleiman, al-Jazeera reported.