Obama Hails Mubarak's Resignation: 'Egypt Will Never Be the Same'

CAIRO, Feb. 11,2011— -- President Obama hailed Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak's abrupt decision earlier today to step down, ending his 30-year-reign, as Egyptian armed forces took control of the country's leadership.

"The people of Egypt have spoken. Their voices have been heard and Egypt will never be the same," the president said. "By stepping down, President Mubarak responded to the Egyptian people's hunger for change, but this is not the end of Egypt's transition. It's the beginning."

Obama praised the protesters and their peaceful demonstrations that have rocked the country for the past 18 days.

"Over the last few weeks, the wheel of history turned at a blinding pace," he said.

The president called on Egypt's new leadership to lift the controversial emergency law that has been in place almost continuously since 1967 and gives the government far-reaching powers at the expense of judicial review and civil liberties. He also urged a peaceful and constructive transition to free and fair elections.

Egyptians celebrated late into the night. People streamed into Cairo's Tahrir Square dancing, honking car horns and waving flags. Fireworks were shot off in the square that has become the heart of the uprising.

As Mubarak's long-awaited announcement was made earlier byVice President Omar Suleiman, crowds erupted into loud cheers, chanting "Egypt is free, Egypt is free."

Watch a special, one-hour edition of "Nightline: Revolution Day," anchored by Terry Moran live from Cairo, at 11:35 p.m. ET.

"My fellow citizens. In this difficult time that the country is going through, President Mohamed Hosni Mubarak has decided to relieve himself of his position as president and the Supreme Military Council has taken control of the state's affairs. May God protect us," Suleiman said in a somber one-minute announcement.

The military's spokesman also went on state television to thank Mubarak for his service and said it is reviewing the situation. Saluting those who have died in the nearly three weeks of protests, the military hailed the "martyrs" and said the army will guarantee that the demands of the Egyptian people be met.

He reiterated that the army is not a substitute for the legitimacy the people want and that the military will announce concrete steps soon.