ABC's Christiane Amanpour interviews Mubarak

[February 04, 2011]  NEW YORK (AP) -- ABC News journalist Christiane Amanpour's exclusive interview with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak (HOHS'-nee moo-BAH'-rahk) came on the spur of the moment.

Amanpour had been granted an interview Thursday with Vice President Omar Suleiman (su-LAY'-mahn). She wrote in a reporter's notebook that as a cameraman was setting up in Egypt's presidential palace she asked to see Mubarak.

She says within minutes she was taken into a reception room, where Mubarak greeted her. Their conversation took place off camera. Amanpour wasn't available to speak about the experience.

Demonstrators have been pressing for Mubarak's ouster. Everyday life in Cairo has been turned upside down by the largest anti-government protests in Egypt in decades.

Mubarak told Amanpour he'd like to leave office now but fears his country would sink into chaos.

[Associated Press]

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