Egyptians in the Netherlands are delighted with President Hosni Mubarak's departure.

Spokesman Ibrahim Farouk of an Egyptian umbrella group in Holland was told from Cairo on Friday afternoon that three helicopters had landed at the presidential palace, presumably to take Mr Mubarak, his wife and his private possessions to the Cairo airport.

Mr Farouk said Hosni Mubarak can only blame himself for his fate. "Two weeks ago he could have made an honourable exit. But now nobody cares about him anymore." Mr Farouk said in The Hague that he is looking to the future with confidence, adding that he trusts the Egyptian military. An estimated 20,000 people of Egyptian origin are living in the Netherlands.

Dutch cabinet

Speaking before Mr Mubarak's resignation, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said the Dutch cabinet was concerned at the risk of violence erupting in Egypt. "The transition should be non-violent and orderly. ... But I can hardly imagine Mr Mubarak himself leading the transition process."

Prime Minister Rutte added that reforms in Egypt should take into account the people's wishes and aspirations with respect to freedom, democracy and human rights.

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