World Leaders Urge Change in Egypt
Protesters chant anti-government slogans during mass demonstrations against Egypt＇s President Hosni Mubarak, in Alexandria, Egypt, February 4, 2011
U.S. President Barack Obama and other leaders are calling for quick change in Egypt, where protests against President Hosni Mubarak are now in their 12th day.
Mr. Obama Friday urged Mr. Mubarak to immediately begin the process of handing over power, but the U.S. leader stopped short of calling for Mr. Mubarak to leave office right now.
Mr. Obama said the future of Egypt must be determined by its people. He said the world is watching the events in Egypt and said this moment of turmoil should be turned into a moment of opportunity.
On Saturday, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said there will be change in Egypt, and that it needs to be peaceful. Speaking alongside her at a security conference in Germany, British Prime Minister David Cameron said there is no stability in Egypt and there will not be until there is change, reform and transition.
Also at the conference, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton urged leaders across the Middle East to enact democratic reforms in response to the recent protests in Egypt, Tunisia and other countries.
Meanwhile, U.S. officials have said the U.S. and Egyptian officials were holding talks on a proposal for Mr. Mubarak to resign immediately and turn power over to a transitional government headed by Vice President Omar Suleiman with the support of the Egyptian military.
Suleiman has offered to meet with Egyptian political leaders to discuss such a transitional government.
A senior U.S. State Department official said a scenario "under active discussion" is the prospect of Mr. Mubarak stepping down and taking up residence in Sharm el-Sheikh, on the Red Sea at the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula.
Mr. Mubarak has recently said he will not go into exile and wants to die on Egyptian soil.
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