Is This Luxe Clinic Mubarak's Way Out?

Is Hosni Mubarak planning to exit stage left by way of a luxury clinic in Germany? It's looking more and more likely, reports Der Spiegel. Over the weekend, the New York Times reported that the US government and Egyptian military officials were secretly talking about a plan in which Mubarak would transfer his power and take another of his annual medical leaves to Germany—and the plan seems to be shaping up. Der Spiegel has learned that talks are being held with a number of hospitals, in particular the luxury clinic Max-Grundig-Klinik Bühlerhöhe, located near Baden-Baden.

The posh clinic, which has treated former Ukrainian President Vickor Yushchenko, offers suites up to 2,152 square feet in size, and has a well-regarded oncology department; it has been rumored that 82-year-old Mubarak is suffering from cancer. (More Egypt protests stories.)