Written by Amira Al Hussaini

This post is part of our special coverage of Egypt Protests 2011.

Mubarak addressing Egyptians. Photo credit: Sultan Al Qassemi

After keeping quiet as protests raged Egypt for four days in a row, a defiant president Hosni Mubarak addressed the nation early today, calling protesters “gangs” and “thugs.” He also fired the cabinet and said that he would reinstate a new cabinet today. Netizens from around the world are not only disappointed, but outraged with his speech.

The Angry Arab News Service's As'ad Abukhalil rants:

Mubarak is speaking live. He is digging a bigger hole for himself. He is insulting the protesters. HE said that he has been sympathetic to the poor all his life. Is that why billionaires surround you, you dictator?

In another missile, the Lebanese-American writes:

Has called for the resignation of his cabinet. Somebody needs to tell him: it is you that people want to resign, you fool.

And he compares Mubarak's speech to that of ousted Tunisian president Zein El Abidine Ben Ali, who was forced to leave Tunisia after 29 days of protests:

You may compare this speech by Mubarak to the last speech by Bin `Ali. It just made things worse. He talked as if the people are merely blaming prime minister Nadhif for their misery. How dictators fight to the last second. I personally think that Mubarak probably would have surrendered power today but the US pushed him to stay in power. I am speculating but I have a feeling I am right. I received information that the US is trying to install the Egyptian Army's chief-of-staff as the new leader.

UAE writer Sultan Al Qassemi, who has been paying close attention to Egypt since the beginning of its protests on January 25, describes his outrage and disappointment in a series of tweets.

He says:

He didn't raise curbs on the internet or the mobile phones. He didn't offer to meet with opposition leaders. He didn't acknowledge Egyptians

and adds:

He didn't even say he won't run again later this year, install his son or dissolve parliament! A new gov controlled by Gamal is all you get

and explodes:

The biggest bullshit speech that any aging dictator has ever made in history. What a load of crap.

Meanwhile, here are more reactions from around the world:

Stay tuned for more coverage from Egypt as massive protests against Mubarak's 30-year rule continue for the fifth day.

This post is part of our special coverage of Egypt Protests 2011.