World reacts as Mubarak steps down

Global leaders hail "historic change" and "victory" in Egypt, but Obama warns of difficult days ahead.

Barack Obama watched history unfold in Egypt on a television screen just outside the Oval Office, sources said [AFP]

World leaders have welcomed the resignation of Hosni Mubarak, Egypt's president hailing it as a "historic change" and victory for protesters.

Barack Obama, the US president, said the move was the beginning, not the end, of the transition to democracy in Egypt.

"The people of Egypt have spoken - their voices have been heard and Egypt will never be the same," he said on Friday evening.

He said the people would settle for nothing less than "genuine democracy" and called on the military to ensure a credible political transition.
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