The energy from the celebrations in Egypt is infectious. Images of complete strangers embracing in the street like they were family, awash in chants of victory and tears of freedom. But alongside the euphoria is the knowledge that much of the long road to liberation still lies ahead. This is only the beginning.
The Guardian and others are reporting that the Mubarak family fortune amounts to over £44 billion. Bounty, pillaged by a corrupt regime from an oppressed people. The same outlets are also reporting that a lot of this money is tied up in property in the UK. The UK government should freeze all assets under its jurisdiction, pending investigation of crimes against humanity. Continue reading
Watching a succession of Western leaders, including Chancellor Merkel of German and Prime Minister Cameron of Britain speaking at the annual Munich Security Conference on Saturday, I was struck by the huge importance they attached to the fast moving events in Egypt, and the wider Arab World. It was almost as though the enormity of what is unfolding – Egypt is hugely strategic and pivotal – was obliging these leaders to realise for the first time the possible knock on effects in the region. 
It’s not about Mubarak any more. For all practical purposes he’s already gone. The issue now is the succession. Mubarak has not resigned or been deposed, but the power has already shifted to the most dangerous man in the leadership, Omar Suleiman, the former intelligence chief and now formally Vice-President, though already assuming the reins of Presidential power in all but name, a man soaked in the black arts of manipulative and dirty politics with all the ruthless self-interest of an Egyptian Mandelson. 
