Egypt: Obama says power shift must start now (photos)
Here in San Francisco, the headline news is still focused on the protests in Egypt. (Click here for article on Egypt: Flights leave with Americans)
America's President Barack Obama has spoken with President of Egypt Hosni Mubarak, who has been president for 30 years and said an "orderly transition of power must begin now," according to Sky News.
Obama has said that Mubarak understands that leaving things as they are is "not sustainable and change must take place". Egypt has been an ally of America for a long time.
In turn, Mubarak has declared that he won't argue against the September elections. He said this in the wake of the recent mass demonstrations in Egypt.
But this is not good enough. Protestors are demanding that Mubarakstep down immediately. They are saying the president should leave office by Friday of this week.
Get more information from article: Egypt: Mubarak won't run for new term
President Obama told the American people from the White House that he had spoken to President Mubarak.
He said that he told President Mubarak it was important for Mubarak to take steps to hand over the position now, according to Sky News
"What is clear and what I indicated tonight to President Mubarak is my belief that an orderly transition must be meaningful, it must be peaceful and it must begin now."
Egypt has been instrumental in the Middle East for the US and played a key part in America's drive for peace between Israel and the Palestinians.
There are growing concerns, however, that when Mubarak steps down there may be instability in Egypt.
President Obama sent an envoy to Egypt on Tuesday to urge President Mubarak to prepare for a transition of power. He is anxious to have that move to a state of democracy be an orderly one, reports Sky News.
Protesters have told press they will carry on demonstrating this week unless Mubarak says he will go now. They will march on the royal palace this Friday.
San Francisco residents can follow this and other top news stories on local San Francisco station, KTVU Channel 2 News.
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See the video on the left for the speech that President Obama gave (courtesy of Sky News)
Click on the blue link to see the amazing photos of the protests in Egypt.
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