Cairo, Egypt (CNN) -- [Update 8:33 p.m. in Cairo, 1:33 p.m. ET] A statement issued by Egypt's military council affirmed that the military will not abolish civil authority but will only control the country during the transition period between civilian governments.
The military statement also expressed appreciation for former President Hosni Mubarak's service to the country, and saluted "martyrs" of Egypt's revolution.
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon says he respects "the difficult decision" for Hosni Mubarak to step down as president of Egypt and he reiterated a call for an "orderly, peaceful transition."
The United Arab Emirates says it's confident in the ability of Egypt's military to run "the country's affairs in these delicate circuмstances."
[Update 8:09 p.m. in Cairo, 1:09 ET] Switzerland has frozen "all possible assets" of former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and his circle, a government official said Friday.
[Update 8:03 p.m. in Cairo, 1:03 p.m. ET] President Barack Obama did not talk to Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak or Egyptian Vice President Omar Suleiman before Friday's announcement of Mubarak's resignation, according to White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Friday called the events in Egypt "irreversible" and said in the end there must be free elections. She also said Germany expects future Egyptian governments to honor the peace treaty with Israel.
British Prime Minister David Cameron hailed the bravery of the Egyptian protesters and said there must be "civilian and democratic rule as part of this important transition to an open, democratic and free Egypt."
The toppling of the Egyptian "pharaoh" has "joyfully" coincided with the anniversary of Iran's Islamic Revolution in 1979, Iran's semi-official Fars News Agency said Friday.
[Update 7:58 p.m. in Cairo, 12:58 p.m. ET] The U.S. is preparing a new package of assistance to Egyptian opposition groups designed to help with constitutional reform, democratic development and election organizing, State department officials tell TIME magazine.
[Update 7:43 p.m. in Cairo, 12:43 ET] A high-ranking Egyptian military official said that discussions were under way in the Supreme Council about dismissing Mubarak's government and parliament and the timing for elections. The source said an announcement was expected later Friday.
[Update 7:34 p.m. in Cairo, 12:34 p.m. ET] Opposition figure Mohamed ElBaradei, a diplomat and Nobel laureate, said in remarks to Al Jazeera that he believes it could take a year for the people and army to lay the necessary groundwork for presidential and parliamentary elections.
He added that he doesn't foresee Egyptians growing impatient during the process because they endured Mubarak's rule for 30 years.
"This is a dream I have been wishing to see for the last 30 years, and it's an amazing feeling," he told the station.
ElBaradei dismissed the notion that the Mubarak regime should immediately be held accountable for any misdeeds, saying, "We will have a lot of daunting tasks ahead of us." The priority, he said, should be to "make sure the country is restored," politically and economically.
His parting message to his countrymen: "You have gained your liberty. You have gained your right to catch up with the rest of the world. Make the best of it."
[Update 7:30 p.m. in Cairo, 12:30 p.m. ET] Vice President Joe Biden said the developments in Egypt mark a day of "historic change" and "dramatic change," and called this "a pivotal moment in history."
The future of Egypt will be determined by the Egyptian people, he said.
[Update 7:21 p.m. in Cairo, 12:21 p.m. ET] CNN iReporter Johnny Colt says the people at a coffee shop in Jordan didn't like the news out of Egypt. Follow this link to find out why.
[Update 7:06 p.m. in Cairo, 12:06 p.m. ET] Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nevada, issued a statement urging a peaceful transition of power for the longtime U.S. ally.
"I am pleased that President Mubarak has heard and heeded the voice of the Egyptian people, who have called for change," Reid said. But "it is crucial that Mubarak's departure be an orderly one and that it leads to true democracy for Egypt, including free, fair and open elections."
"We caution all sides against violence during this transition," he added.
[Update 7:03 p.m. in Cairo, 12:03 p.m. ET] Egyptian protest leader Wael Ghonim told CNN Friday the real heroes of the revolution are the young Egyptians in Tahrir Square and the rest of the country.
[Update 6:49 p.m. in Cairo, 11:49 a.m. ET] Amre Moussa, the secretary-general of the Arab League, told CNN that Egyptians are "looking forward to a different future" and hoping for "a better future."
[Update 6:45 p.m. in Cairo, 11:45 a.m. ET] Fireworks exploded in the sky and people honked horns as the celebration of Mubarak's resignation continued 45 minutes after the announcement, CNN's Ivan Watson reported from Cairo's Tahrir Square.
[Update 6:43 p.m. in Cairo, 11:43 a.m. ET] Egyptian protest leader Wael Ghonim sent out a Twitter message saying "congratulations Egypt the criminal has left the palace."
[Update 6:38 p.m. in Cairo, 11:38 a.m. ET] President Obama was informed of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak's decision to step down during a meeting in the Oval Office. Obama then watched TV coverage of the scene in Cairo for several minutes. He will make an on-camera statement later today.
[Update 6:36 p.m. in Cairo, 11:36 a.m. ET] The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, which has been put in charge of Egypt's affairs, is expected to make an announcement shortly.
[Original story] Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak resigned Friday, relinquishing power after three decades of iron-clad rule in the powerhouse nation of the Arab world.
Vice President Omar Suleiman announced the resignation on state television and said he was transferring authority to the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces to "run the affairs of the country."
Tens of thousands of emotional anti-government protesters erupted in deafening cheers on the streets of Cairo after the announcement.
"Egypt is free!" they chanted.
It was a moment anti-government protesters had been waiting for after 18 days of relentless demonstrations that called for Mubarak's departure.
U.S. President Barack Obama said he was notified of Mubarak's decision Friday morning and was closely watching the extraordinary developments unfold in Egypt, a key U.S. ally. He will make a statement Friday afternoon, the White House said.
A source with close connections to Persian Gulf government leaders told CNN that Mubarak had gone to the Red Sea resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh.
Topic: Egypt revolution - Mubarak steps down (Read 2372 times)