Our Egyptian correspondent Anna Massry called me in Venezuela from Cairo a half hour ago from her mobile phone in Tahrir Square. The joyous roar of the people surrounded her voice as she told me this brief story. Anna has thrown herself into the massive demonstrations in Egyptian since they began, weeks ago and in Tahrir Square throughout the day as millions of people in cities throughout Egypt came out after Friday prayers to reject Hosni Mubarak's refusal to resign as Egypt's 30 year dictator, demanding his resignation.

Anna said they chanted throughout the day as street vendors provided food and water and they shared what they brought themselves to the demonstrations in Tahrir Square. Just before noon EST, a few minutes before she called a massive roar rose over Cairo when the protestors learned that they were victorious - their long time dictator gave his resignation. She said that upon hearing of the resignation, the crowds who were chanting, marching and sometimes huddled in groups throughout the day suddenly exploded into singing, dancing, hugging, kissing, crying, "faces glowing with joy".

Here in Venezuela, the people achieved the first stage of their revolution in the Caracazo, 1989 when they rebelled against their US-backed regime, many sacrificing their lives. But the revolutionary tree did not bear fruit until 10 years later when they elected their first socialist president to power in 1998, Hugo Chavez Frias.

The Egyptians have now been victorious, ridding themselves against another US-backed dictator, Hosni Mubarak. Today, the US/Israeli-backed (newly appointed by Mubarak) "vice president" will assume power with the presumptive support of the Egyptian military. There is no way to know how long will be the journey from this great battle won - to final victory against any new US/Israeli-backed oligarchs who may be fool enough to take Mubarak's place. But the first stage of the Egyptian revolution, indeed perhaps the first stage of a revolutionary sweep throughout the Middle East, has ended unequivocally in the resounding victory of the people. Axis of Logic congratulates Anna Massry and all Egyptians for their courage, intelligence, hard work and sacrifice, finally defeating the man whose 30 year regime kept them in poverty, denied them democracy and who provided the United States and Israel with a base to occupy their country. 

- Les Blough in Venezuela

Vice President Omar Suleiman announced that Mubarak had stepped down today.

Protestors carried a huge poster in Tahrir Square today with names and pictures of victims killed during the Egyptian protests.

Photos from Boston.com