Mubarak ''fed up'', but fears Egypt will sink in chaos after him

Lalit K Jha

Washington, Feb 4 (PTI) Embattled Egyptian PresidentHosni Mubarak has said he is "fed up" and wants to quit butfears that the nation will "sink in chaos" if he steps down.

"He is fed up with being president and would like toleave office now, but cannot, he says, for fear that thecountry would sink into chaos," ABC News, which recentlyinterviewed Mubarak, said.

In his first interview after pro-democracy protestsgained momentum, the President blamed opposition MuslimBrotherhood for the violence in Cairo and said "I was veryunhappy about yesterday. I do not want to see Egyptiansfighting each other."

On US President Barack Obama''s apparent calls for hisresignation, Mubarak said he told his American counterpart"You don''t understand the Egyptian culture and what wouldhappen if I step down now." He, however, maintained that Obamais a "very good man."

When asked about seeing people shouting insults abouthim and wanting him gone, Mubarak who has been ruling Egyptfor 30 years said, "I don''t care what people say about me.

Right now I care about my country, I care about Egypt."

The 82-year-old leader said he had never planned torun for presidency during the September election, neither hadany plan to pass on the mantle to his son Gamal, who was alsopresent during the interview.

On his feeling after addressing the nation on Mondaynight when he said he would not run for Presidential electionagain, Mubarak said he felt "relief".

According to the report, Mubarak was along with hisfamily and his palace was heavily guarded by armed troops,tanks and barbed wires. Protesters'' Friday deadline forMubarak''s resignation is ending today.

"I would never run away... I will die on this soil,"he said as the President defended his legacy, recounting themany years he has spent leading his country.