The revolution that has given Egypt new hope, pride and confidence

Egyptians are coming to terms with the scale of change in their country following the dramatic protests in Cairo that unseated their president

Chris McGreal
The Observer, Sunday 13 February 2011

".......Still, even amid the debate over what the military is really up to, there is a new confidence in the power of ordinary people to make a difference and a determination that, if the army doesn't deliver, Egyptians will be back on the streets.

"We are the example to the world," said Abdel Massri, a 25 year-old IT specialist. "All over the Arab world they are celebrating our freedom. In America, in Israel, they say Egyptians are not ready for democracy, Arabs don't know how to use democracy. But that is just their excuse for supporting Mubarak. He was good for them, not for us."

Mubarak may be gone, but people have not stopped talking about him.

They debate how to get back the money they believe he has stolen. They disagree about whether he should be allowed to retire in peace in Egypt or be called to account for the many crimes people tick off.

But they generally agree on one thing in Tahrir Square – that Mubarak colossally misjudged Egyptians.

"Mubarak, this man is so stupid," said Khalil with a laugh. "Everything he did managed to get more people on the streets. His speech made every single person hate him because they discovered he doesn't love Egypt, he loves himself.""