Obama: Meaningful transition in Egypt must start now

CAIRO  The longtime leader of the Middle East's largest country and a confidant to several U.S. administrations said Tuesday he will not seek re-election, reacting to both massive protests and pressure from the White House.

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, who for 30 years has been a major figure in Arab politics, said he will oversee a peaceful transfer of power to another president following elections to be held in the fall.

"This dear nation ... is where I lived, I fought for it and defended its soil, sovereignty and interests," Mubarak, 82, said in a speech on Egyptian television. "On its soil I will die."

President Obama, who spoke to the Egyptian leader for 30 minutes, appeared before the cameras at the White House and said the transition "must be meaningful, it must be peaceful, and it must begin now." Mubarak, Obama said, "recognizes that the status quo is not sustainable and a change must take place."

To the protesters, particularly its young people, Obama said, "We hear your voices."

In words designed to distance the United States from the process, Obama said, "It is not the role of any other country to determine Egypt's leaders — only the Egyptian people can do that."

The details of the transition — the timing of the vote, whether new political parties or the banned Muslim Brotherhood will be allowed to participate, and how the elections would be monitored — remain unclear. Nor was it certain Mubarak's departure in eight months would be enough to calm Egypt's streets.

Protesters still in Tahrir Square on Tuesday night said that they were not satisfied and that they would resume demonstrations that have gone on for a week.

"This doesn't work. He needs to go," said Ahmed Barakat, 37, a stockbroker.

Mohammed Masry, 29, a travel agent, who was taking part in a neighborhood watch against looters, said he hoped the announcement would bring calm.

"This transition period will be difficult but maybe it will lead to good later," he said.

Contributing: Mimi Hall and David Jackson in Washington, D.C.

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