Mubarak 'Misjudges' Mood of Egyptians

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In The Media

Mubarak 'Misjudges' Mood of Egyptians

President Mubarak’s speech on February 10 disappointed Egyptian protesters and was out of touch with the situation facing Egypt.

By Marina Ottaway

Published on Feb 10, 2011

Source: Bloomberg TV

Egyptian President Mubarak’s speech on February 10 has led many to question whether or not he truly understands the situation in Egypt, said Marina Ottaway on Bloomberg TV’s Street Smart. The protesters expected to hear a resignation speech from Mubarak. Instead, Ottaway said, Mubarak gave a defiant speech which reiterated many of the “concessions” he had already made. The speech “has raised anger to a fever pitch,” Ottaway said, predicting that it would be followed by the “largest demonstrations in Egypt that we have ever seen.”

About the Author

Marina Ottaway

Former Senior Associate, Middle East Program

Before joining the Endowment, Ottaway carried out research in Africa and in the Middle East for many years and taught at the University of Addis Ababa, the University of Zambia, the American University in Cairo, and the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa.

Recent Work

Article
Reactions to the Syrian National Initiative
- Marina Ottaway, Omar Hossino
Article
Slow Return to Normal Politics in Egypt
- Marina Ottaway

Political Reform North Africa Egypt

Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.

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