Mubarak announcement disappoints Obama administration

By Karen DeYoung and William Branigin
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, February 1, 2011; 6:58 PM

President Obama said Tuesday that a transition to democracy in Egypt "must begin now" and should lead to opposition participation in free and fair elections.


Speaking after Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak's announcement Tuesday that he will not seek reelection in September, Obama said he had called Mubarak after the speech and discussed the situation in Egypt with him.

"He recognizes that the status quo is not sustainable and that change must take place," Obama said at the White House. He said he told Mubarak of "my belief that an orderly transition must be meaningful, it must be peaceful, and it must begin now."

Earlier, Obama administration officials indicated that Mubarak's announcement was less than they had hoped for and was unlikely to satisfy protesters' demands for a new government.

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http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/01/AR2011020105291.html

That was always the plan. :eyes:

Shame on you for furthering RW talking points.

The people are clear: Mubarak out now.

Obama was clear: Mubarak can stay until the already-scheduled election in September.