Nightly News   |  February 10, 2011

Confusion, outrage erupt in Cairo

Expecting to hear President Mubarak's resignation speech, the huge crowd of protesters gathered in Cairo's Tahrir Square broke out into loud chants of "get out" while waving shoes in the air in a sign of disrespect. NBC's Ron Allen reports.

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BRIAN WILLIAMS, anchor: We want to show you another picture. This one shows shoes being held aloft by Egyptian men while Mubarak spoke, the ultimate sign of disrespect in the Arab world . That should tell you how the crowd reacted to this speech in the square. Our Ron Allen was in the square tonight for the reaction, saw those tens of thousands of Egyptians. Ron , how would you sum up the reaction?

RON ALLEN reporting: Brian , it was just an incredible there in the square. So much anticipation, so much excitement, so many people daring to dream that this just might be a different kind of night, a moment in history. We spent time with two young men, both in their 30s, Omar Sedke and Ahmed el-Mokri . They are typical of the vanguard of the protesters. They've been there just about every day taking part in the protests. One of them had a wounded hand, bandaged, because he'd picked up a tear gas canister and throwed it back at police back sometime last week. We were with them as they listened to the speech, hanging on every word like so many others in the crowd. And when it was over, they were just bitterly disappointed and feeling betrayed by what President Mubarak had said.

Unidentified Man #1: It's really frustrating. It's really -- because millions are here, we're waiting to hear good news, and yet he's not giving it to them. With no reason but, you know, to preserve his military pride.

Unidentified Man #2: And this dictator is remaining in our country. And tomorrow there will be a very, very big march that is going to be held. And

yet, we are calm, we are peaceful. ...when, Mubarak , are you

going to provoke us?

ALLEN: The protests have been peaceful, but now there are many people in the square who are predicting there could be some kind of confrontation tomorrow. It's a very, very volatile situation. The protesters left filled with emotion, venting it in the streets, marching with signs and banners saying 'leave, leave, leave, Mubarak .' So it's very unclear what might happen

tomorrow. Brian: Boy, it does -- it does feel newly sparked, Ron , after some people were deflated, then that spark of anger as they departed tonight. Ron Allen , thank you for reporting on your time in the

WILLIAMS: