Mohamed ElBaradei, the former head of the International Atomic Energy Administration, joined the demonstrations at Tahrir Square in Egypt on Sunday. At one time, he was considered the No. 1 choice to take the reins from President Hosni Mubarak.
Speaking to Fareed Zakaria on CNN this morning, ElBaradei said, "I think it is loud and clear from everyone in Egypt that he has to leave today. This is non-negotiable.
"If he wants to save his skin, if he has an iota of patriotism, I urge him to leave the country today," he continued. Asked whether he's interested in replacing Mubarak as president, ElBaradei replied, "I am willing to do whatever I can do to save this country. … If the Egyptian people want me to serve as a bridge … I will not let them down."
At 12 p.m. EST, ElBaradei gave a speech in Tahrir Square, urging Egyptians to continue to fight for their rights. "Fellow Egyptians, today you must recapture your rights. What we have started will never be turned back again.
"We have a key demand: for the regime to step down and begin a new era."
Read more about the recent developments in Egypt at Mother Jones.
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