Egyptian reform figure Mohamed ElBaradei hailed the resignation of Prime Minister Ahmed Shafiq Thursday, who headed the country's interim cabinet.
Upon hearing the news, protesters in Tahrir Square rejoiced by playing drums, dancing and chanting “The people and the army are one hand.” Some protesters also expressed confidence in former Tranportation Minister Essam Sharaf, who has been tasked with forming a new cabinet.
Shafiq submitted his resignation on Thursday to the ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces hours before opposition groups were planning for a million-man protest Friday.
Through his Twitter account, ElBaradei expressed his appreciation for the military council for accepting the resignation.
On Wednesday, ElBaradei blasted the interim government that included four ministers affiliated with the ousted regime of former President Hosni Mubarak. "Remnants of old regime leading transition to democracy is an oxymoron. Enough of this farce! Egypt deserves better," he said via Twitter.
ElBaradei, the former IAEA director, had called on Shafiq to resign when armed thugs attacked pro-democracy protesters in Tahrir Square during the 25 January revolution.
Former presidential candidate and opposition figure Ayman Nour also lauded the resignation."Farewell to the the bossom friend of Mubarak and welcome to Sharaf,” he said.
