Washington, February 02: US President Barack Obama has said he told Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak that an “orderly transition” of power in Egypt must be peaceful and “it must begin now.”
After a 30-minute phone conversation with Mubarak on Tuesday, Obama said in a statement broadcast live on satellite television networks that the Egyptian leader “recognizes that the status quo is not sustainable and a change must take place.”
Obama stated that he conveyed to his Egyptian counterpart “my belief that an orderly transition must be meaningful, it must be peaceful, and it must begin now.”
Earlier in the day, Obama met with his national security team as Mubarak made a speech to announce that he would not seek another term after 30 years in power but did plan to remain in power until new elections are organized. Obama and his aides watched Mubarak’s speech from the White House Situation Room.
Obama praised the protesters for asserting their rights and the Egyptian army for showing restraint in dealing with them.
“We’ve borne witness to a new chapter in the history of a great country,” Obama said.
Speaking to the “young people” of Egypt, Obama stated, “We hear your voices.”
He added that “the United States will continue to stand up for democracy.”
In videotaped remarks broadcast across the world, Mubarak said his “top priority” is to “restore the security and stability of the nation.” Mubarak added that he would devote his remaining “few months” in office to a “peaceful transfer of power.”
——–Agencies