From PRI, Public Radio International and KCRW Santa Monica, this is To the Point.

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak steps down.

Hello again, I'm Warren Alney, and this is To the Point from Public Radio International.

A daily look at the issues Americans care about most.

President Hosni Mubarak has decided to step down as president of Egypt, and he has decided that

the Higher Council of the Armed Forces will lead the nation.

That televised statement from Vice President Omar Suleiman, through a translator, produced an eruption of joy and excitement in the biggest crowd so far on Tarrier Square.

Hours later, the party was still going on, but many questions remain. Can the military be trusted to institute democracy? What will be the role of the U.S.? What's the reaction in the

rest of the Arab world where dictatorships still hold power? First, here's the news.

Support for To the Point comes from subscribers of KCRW Santa Monica and from the Public Radio

International Program Fund, whose contributors include the Ford Foundation, the John D. and Catherine T. McArthur

Foundation, and the Skoll Foundation, supporting social entrepreneurs around the world, uncommon heroes

dedicated to the common good. Learn more at Skoll.org. Hello again, Wamanalni, back with To the Point.

Less than 24 hours after disappointing massive crowds of Egyptians last night,

President Hosni Mubarak electrified his country tonight by stepping down after all.

One of the most entrenched dictators in the Arab world has been toppled by people power.

Among those celebrating on Tahir Square is Rasha Abdullah. She's a journalism professor at the American

University in Cairo. She's been out there for the past three hours. We'll see if we can get her on our cell phone.

Obviously, there is a mob behind you. Can you tell us just quickly, if you will, your feelings at this point?

Hi, Ryan. Actually, I've been here all day. It's 9 p.m. now in Cairo. It's absolutely amazing. It's electrifying. It's magic. It's freedom and day. I can't tell me what it feels like. It's absolutely brilliant.

Do you trust the military to accomplish democracy in Egypt?

Well, I don't think it can get any worse than it was. We've been in the dictatorship for 30 years.

...