WASHINGTON - US President Barack Obama said on Tuesday that the orderly transition in Egypt "must begin now" following announcement by Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak that he will not seek reelection.

In his televised speech, Obama said he spoke directly to Mubarak after his announcement and the Egyptian president "recognizes that the status quo is not sustainable and that a change must take place."

"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," Obama said.

"Furthermore, the process must include a broad spectrum of Egyptian voices and opposition parties," he added. "It should lead to elections that are free and fair."

Mubarak pledged on Tuesday in his speech to the nation that he would not seek another term following eight days of anti-government demonstrations demanding an end of his 30-year rule, which has plunged the most populous Arab nation into chaos.

Obama pledged that "we stand ready to provide assistance that is necessary to help the Egyptian people as they manage the aftermath of these protests."

The United States sees Egypt as a close ally and has offered some 1.5 billion dollars in annual military and economic aid in the past years.

美国总统奥巴马(Barack Obama)周二(2月1日)与埃及总统穆巴拉克(Hosni Mubarak)电话交谈之后在白宫发表讲话，呼吁埃及从现在开始进行有意义的重大改革。

穆巴拉克(Hosni Mubarak)此前已表示，将不会参加秋天举行的下届总统选举，并将在任期的最后几个月进行权力移交，宪法中有关总统任期及总统候选人的条款也将得到修改。

奥巴马在讲话中称，在埃及政权过渡期间，美国将向埃及提供一切必要的支持。奥巴马称："美国听到了埃及民众的声音。"

奥巴马重申，埃及的命运应由埃及人民自行决定。他表示，相信埃及人民将选择合适的道路。

奥巴马还表示，对埃及军方在大规模民众抗议活动中表现出的克制表示赞赏。

（中文新闻摘自搜狐）