Washington, February 08: The White House has announced that US President Barack Obama will not back an immediate resignation by embattled Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.
As Egyptian protests entered day 15, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said that Washington is watching the developments in Egypt and strongly encourages “the process of meaningful change,” there.
Briefing reporters on Monday, Gibbs noted that the procedure has already been launched in the unstable nation.
The spokesman was referring to Mubarak’s attempts to calm nationwide protests by appointing Omar Suleiman as the new vice president and assenting to pull out from a reelection in September.
Mubarak’s son and one-time heir, Gamal, has also indicated that he will not seek the presidency.
Gibbs hailed these actions as “monumental” steps toward change.
He acknowledged, however, that the path towards transformation is going to be a “bumpy” one.
Meanwhile, striking the same note as Gibbs, US State Department Spokesman Philip Crowley said only the people of Egypt can decide their future and Washington will not impose a deadline for implementing reforms in the country.
On Saturday, US Special envoy to Egypt Frank Wisner also backed Mubarak, saying he needs to remain in power for the time being.
He described the Egyptian president’s continued leadership as critical.
The latest remarks come as anti-American sentiments grow among the Egyptian protesters.
Many demonstrators hold Washington responsible for President Hosni Mubarak’s three-decades-long grip on power.
They also say the White House has fallen short in failing to call on Mubarak to step down — which is considered the Number One demand of the Egyptian protesters.
Media reports say that Washington is sending warships and other military assets to troubled Egypt. Two US warships have already arrived in the Red Sea, one of which is carrying up to 800 troops.
Officials in Washington say the US is preparing for a possible evacuation of Americans from Egypt. Meanwhile, a US aircraft carrier has been ordered to abort its mission and stay in the Mediterranean.
More than 300 people are estimated to have been killed and thousands injured since the revolution began in the North African country two weeks ago.
——–Agencies