Cairo , Egypt ( CNN ) -- Demonstrations that began with quiet determination on the internet more than three weeks ago erupted into riotous jubilation Friday evening , moments after it was announced that Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak was stepping aside . Protesters swarmed army tanks that had been deployed to keep order , banged drums , blew whistles and frantically waved Egyptian flags in celebration . They danced in circles and chanted . Processions of cars made their way down city streets , drivers honking horns and waving flags . Fireworks erupted outside the presidential palace in Cairo and in the streets of Alexandria . Some men and women dropped to their knees and began to pray . `` I did not believe it at first , '' Egyptian-American Sarah el-Helewsaid . `` I feel complete joy . '' `` Freedom ! '' crowds chanted outside the white carved walls of the presidential palace . `` God is great ! '' they shouted in Tahrir Square . On the front lines of the movement , protester and actor Khalid Abdallah , best known for his role in `` The Kite Runner , '' expressed complete shock at Mubarak 's decision to step down , but said Egyptians now feel like `` destiny is in their hands , '' and he praised supporters of their struggle . `` Thank you to everyone who has stood in solidarity with us , '' Abdallah told CNN 's Wolf Blitzer . He said Egyptians are grateful for those who `` told our true story . '' Abdallah recounted seeing and hearing the voices of children . `` Hold your head high , '' Abdallah said they chanted , `` you 're an Egyptian . '' Fears that the Muslim Brotherhood , an Islamic umbrella group , could hijack Egypt 's pro-democracy movement have made headlines during the 18 days of protests in the country , but the group has stated more than once that they are not seeking power . On Friday , they celebrated the news of Mubarak 's departure with the rest of the Egyptians . `` We are opening a new bridge now on history , '' Muslim Brotherhood spokesman Essam El Erian told CNN . `` This is [ a ] critical moment . '' Erian said of the pro-democracy revolution that he said he believes will shape the future of Egypt . In Alexandria , Fatima Puskar , an American living with her Egyptian husband , Emad , said she was watching Egyptian state TV when news of Mubarak 's resignation was announced . `` We could hear people , even before the end of the statement I heard people outside of the window shouting and honking their horns , '' she said . Omar Sultan of Cairo said he felt like he played a role in forcing Mubarak to resign by taking part in demonstrations . `` Everyone is very happy . No one imagined this day would come , '' he said . `` I 've never been prouder to be an Egyptian . '' Two of the main bridges connecting east and west Cairo were like parking lots as people got out and began hugging and dancing . `` Life is great now . I think I will have a much better future now . It is a different era , '' a 17-year-old girl named Fatima told CNN . The news of Mubarak 's resignation , and the revolution that led to the announcement , has also sparked a renewed spirit and proud voice for Egyptians . `` I stopped writing -- as a journalist -- because I felt there was nothing to write about , '' said Salah Marakby , a 76-year-old retiree . `` But I feel now that the pyramid of corruption has fallen . I want to go back to writing now ! '' One of the movement 's key activists , Wael Ghonim , credited ordinary Egyptians for persisting through historic and sometimes violent protests that led to the first ouster of an Egyptian leader since 1952 . `` Congratulations Egypt the criminal has left the palace , '' said Ghonim , who was jailed for a week and a half by the Mubarak regime and whose emotional commentary after his release helped galvanize protesters . Addressing Mubarak and his allies , Ghonim said the country should hold them accountable for their actions , including the deaths of protesters killed during what had been peaceful demonstrations . `` I just want to say to Hosni Mubarak and to Omar Suleiman and to all those people who thought that being in power means you can oppress people , you know , hard-luck guys , you know , at the end of the day , we have a choice and we 've made our choice , '' he said . `` They convinced us for 30 years that Egypt had died , that there was no more Egypt , '' he said in an interview with CNN , referring to the nearly 30 years of autocratic rule under Mubarak . `` We were all looking for Egypt and thank God we found her today . '' Ghonim , who helped set up the initial Facebook page calling for protests , said it was time to celebrate , and said he has confidence that Egypt will not fall into dictatorship again . `` Today , I am telling you Egypt is going to be a democratic state , '' said Ghonim , who is on leave of absence from his job at Google . Mohamed ElBaradei , a leading opposition figure , showed his support for Mubarak 's decision to step down through Twitter . `` Egypt Today is a free and proud nation . God Bless , '' was posted by ElBaradei Friday night on the social media website . Amre Moussa , secretary general of Arab League , said he is optimistic that the country is on the right path . `` We have achieved what the people wanted , '' he said . `` Now we must build a new Egypt . '' The future many Egyptians had dared to imagine seems much brighter now . `` No matter how hard things are , '' Abdallah said , `` you can get through and you can keep dreaming . '' `` Today is our time , '' a 46-year old woman told CNN . `` We have learned that it is not too difficult to change . Sadly , some people died on the way . '' Egypt 's ambassador to the United States spoke with CNN Friday about the what it will take to form a new democratic government and whether future elections will be fair and open . `` Certainly the voice of the people has been heard loud and clear , '' Sameh Shoukry said . `` It will be the ballot box and the voice of the Egyptian people that will determine the direction of any future governments . '' CNN 's Amir Ahmed contributed to this report .
NEW : Egypt is a `` free and proud nation , '' opposition figure ElBaradei tweets . NEW : `` You can keep dreaming , '' says Egyptian actor Khalid Abdallah . `` Today is our time , '' one woman tells CNN . New : The U.S. has been trying to get Mubarak out of office for years.