WASHINGTON—President Barack Obama, in his most pointed comments yet on the anti-government unrest sweeping Egypt, said he spoke with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak this evening, telling him to refrain from violence. He said he urged the Egyptian leader to keep his promises for democratic reform and better economic opportunities for his country.

"What's needed right now are concrete steps that advance the rights of the Egyptian people," Mr. Obama said Friday evening from the State Dining Room in the White House. "This moment...