BBC News with Fiona MacDonald

The Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has resigned after more than two weeks of growing protests against him across the country. The news was

greet

ed with a massive

outburst

of joy and riot celebration by hundreds of thousands of people in Tahrir Square in Cairo, the heart of the demonstrations. This woman was delighted that the protesters achieved their goal without having to

resort to

violence.

"Well, we're just very, very, very, very happy about this, and really happy that we're able to do it peacefully. This is probably the first Middle East or Arab revolution that happened with no violence, although it started with some violence. But we've proved that. We're here peacefully. We're just asking for basic human rights, and it shows you that

determination

gets you what you want, and we're really looking forward to a really bright future in the country."

Mr Mubarak's powers will be taken over by the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces. It said it understood the people's demand for a

radical

change. But with the civilian leadership sidelined, a BBC correspondent in Cairo says the situation looks very much like a military coup. However, the Egyptian opposition figure Mohamed ElBaradei said he believes the army is just taking over to ensure a smooth transition.

"In the mess we were to end in the last two and three weeks, I in fact ask today for the army intervention. This is a state of emergency. I think the army has had the duty to come to save Egypt from going down the drain, but it doesn't mean that they are there forever. They are there with these people to help to ensure stability."