The sentiment was widespread that President Hosni Mubarak would resign this afternoon. But when he went on Egyptian State TV he made sounded like a rambling statement saying he would not leave. He would, he said, pass on some powers to his Vice President, although he didn't say when.
Although he called the demands of the pro-democracy forces just and legitimate, the crowds of protesters seemed more than slightly peeved that Mubarak didn't step down.
The reaction tonight from the crowd - fury and outrage.
This morning, the military's top commander went into Tahrir Square and told the demonstrators that "your demands will be met" and that this will end tonight. If that wasn't meant to be about Mubarak's tenure, then what was the commander talking about? The ramifications are chilling.
And the question remains, what will win out - democracy or a scenario out of "Seven Days in May?" Is the Army there to keep the peace until new elections are held? Will the elections scheduled for September be delayed because - well, because that's what Armys tend to do? Or will the Army eventually just take over, replacing the Mubarak iron-rule with a military iron-rule?
The chants of the thousands of erstwhile democrats in Tahrir Square seem to make it clear that those who are pushing for free elections will not yield on this point. The big worry tonight is that they may not have a choice. Will it be a case of meet the new boss, same as the old boss?
As for Mubarak - seems unlikely he'll be able to retire peacefully into the countryside after today's announcement that he won't step down. He's reportedly accumulated anywhere from $40 billion to $70 billion. Nice gig.
Our Jim Dolan is headed to Egypt, to witness and report on this revolution that has ramifications for nearly every other country in the Middle East. And we'll have the latest on the developments from Egypt, tonight at 11.
We're also asking you to comment on the situation in Egypt, at our website. Please CLICK HERE to let us hear from you.
Mayor Bloomberg also making some news tonight - but not for the right reasons. He's taking flack for a remark at a book party for a St. Patrick's Parade book, at the American Irish Historical Society today. He said he lived nearby and was used to seeing, "inebriated Irish hanging out the windows" at the Society, which is on Fifth Avenue.
Those in attendance booed, no shocker.
The Mayor also asked, jokingly, when the parade was held and said it was good it was on the same day so he wouldn't confuse it with Columbus Day.
Oy.
We'll also have any breaking news of the night, plus Meteorologist Lee Goldberg's AccuWeather forecast, and Rob Powers with the night's sports. I hope you can join Liz Cho and me, tonight at 11.
