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US Supports Egyptian Reform Plans

VOA News February 05, 2011

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton expressed support for a political transition in Egypt headed by the new vice president, but the U.S. special envoy to Egypt said President Hosni Mubarak must remain in office to make the transition work.

Frank Wisner told the Munich Security Conference Saturday that Mr. Mubarak is needed to "steer" the changes. Speaking via video link, he said President Mubarak's role is "critical." But the State Department later Saturday disassociated itself from the remark, saying Wisner was speaking as a private citizen, not as spokesman for the government.

In her comments at the conference, Clinton stressed that a peaceful transition may take time, saying "the principles are very clear," but the "operational details are very challenging."

Egypt's Vice President Omar Suleiman held meetings with members of the opposition Saturday to consider plans to install a transitional government, that he may lead himself.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said in Munich there will be change in Egypt, and that it needs to be peaceful. British Prime Minister David Cameron said there is no stability in Egypt and there will not be until there is change, reform and transition.

Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou postponed his trip to Cairo planned for Sunday due to developments in Egypt. No alternate date has been set, but his office said the prime minister wished to visit soon.

Also Saturday, Egypt's foreign minister criticized Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, after he characterized the uprising in Egypt as an Islamic liberation movement. Aboul Gheit said Ayatollah Khamenei should pay attention to his own people's calls for freedom instead of trying to distract them with what is happening in Egypt.

On Friday, Ayatollah Khamenei said the anti-government protests in Egypt and Tunisia echo the 1979 Islamic revolution in his country. He called the demonstrations an "Islamic awakening" and said the Egyptian army should back the protesters.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.