Has Mubarek Fled Egypt?

Egypt: What’s Happening Now (Continuously Updated)
An important announcement is coming shortly, says Egyptian state-run TV. (Also read Michael Totten for more coverage of the situation.)
January 28, 2011 - by Josh Shahryar
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UPDATE (4:59p EST): There is a strong likelihood, being discussed right now, that President Hosni Mubarak may have already left the country. He was due to appear on TV, which had been announced hours ago, yet no word came of that. Instead, the parliament speaker, who is first in line to succeed the president, appeared on TV and said there will be an announcement shortly. Speculation is that if Mubarak were in the country, the speaker Ahmad Fathi Sorour wouldn’t have had to make the announcement and Mubarak would have appeared on TV himself. While the opposition claims the president’s wife, son, and a grandchild left the country for Europe two days ago, the government denies this.

So far, the Army, which was mobilized by the government a few hours ago, has not directly stepped in to stop the protests. This is good news for protesters who have beaten back the riot police and other security forces for the most part, and are in virtually uncontested control of major parts of Cairo and other cities. The Army is simply securing important government buildings and broadcasting facilities in Cairo and other cities.

Protesters remain on the streets and the chaos continues as the world awaits word from the Egyptian government.

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UPDATE (4:35p EST): Egyptian Parliament Speaker Ahmad Fathi Sorour appeared on state TV and said: “An important matter will be announced shortly.” No further details.

Protests continue. On the other side of the world, reports suggest that in Caracas, Venezuela, a group of protesting Arabs and Egyptians have entered and taken over the Egyptian embassy there.

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UPDATE (4:11p EST): Protesters also remain out on the streets in Suez, and several buildings are on fire there as well. Al Jazeera now confirms 11 dead, 150 injured and 20 critically injured in that city. That brings the total number of deaths that can be confirmed for today to 12. Sources are claiming as many as 1,000 people have been arrested all over the country, but there is no way to confirm that number.
There are reports that influential businessmen and even some government officials, many close to President Mubarak, have boarded planes and left the country.
The government is trying to solidify its control on important buildings in Cairo, including broadcasting stations and ministries, by sending army tanks there. Tanks were also spotted heading towards the U.S. and British Embassies.
Earlier, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs told reporters that the U.S. is reconsidering its “assistance posture” to Cairo. In the meantime, Vodafone, which disconnected phone services and internet last night under government pressure, is feeling the heat as protesters are reportedly attacking its offices in Cairo and other cities.
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UPDATE (3:45p EST): There is absolute chaos. Some are claiming the death toll in Suez is as high as almost a dozen, and over a hundred injured. The death toll in Cairo still stands at 1, but that number might rise as night falls.

Confusion has taken over reporting from Cairo and other cities in Egypt. Because the situation is so tense, reporters are having trouble confirming reports that are being relayed to them, and even confirming events that they are witnessing right in front of them.

While most reporters claim the army entered the cities, some claim it was actually the Presidential Guard, which is separate from the Army and numbers over 20,000.
In the meantime, protests continue, even as it has been hours since a curfew was imposed all over the country, and it’s past 10 p.m. Security is still trying to control them, and the government seems to have suddenly quieted down. There is no word from the president’s office about whether he will deliver the speech he promised a few hours ago tonight, or tomorrow, or not at all.

What looks certain is that Cairo is witnessing gunfire, explosions, and fires, and reports of casualties and arrests are mounting.

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UPDATE: The Foreign Affairs Ministry is on fire, according to Al Jazeera.

The Army Chief of Staff is returning home from DC, cutting short his trip.

...

Fox just reported that he has stepped down. New gov. to be appointed on Sat.

he said he stays and will sack his gov.

that's what i'm hearing.

and that's what he said. so either fox or willow is wrong. or both

Well it appears that he's appearing on television.

Apparently...

The Egyptian soldiers need to be warned about trying to follow him if he departs through the Red Sea.