Washington and European capitals want to keep Egypt stable and allied to the West. Up until now, President Mubarak has been viewed as a man who can deliver that.
But now it seems they are not so sure if they should back him and push him to change, or to support an alternative.
US State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley tweeted on 29th Jan that the U.S. wanted to see Mubarak fulfil his pledges of reform:
The Egyptian government can't reshuffle the deck and then stand pat. President Mubarak's words pledging reform must be followed by action. But later he tweets what Hillary Clinton said over the weekend:
#SecClinton today: U.S. supports a peaceful, orderly transition to free, fair and credible elections that lead to real democracy in #egypt. And then again:
#SecClinton today: The government must open an inclusive national dialogue with the people of #Egypt as part of a lengthy process of reform. Do they want Mubarak's government to have a dialogue with the people or do they want a transition to a new government?
Some Egyptians certainly feel let down. Osam in Cairo says: "Obama has to be on our side. Where is your democracy? You say Arabs are just donkeys, but the USA is supporting the system, not the people" and Arab journalist, Shoruk_K tweets: P.J Crowley "support peaceful transition" REALLY? So tear gas canisters MADE IN USA is peaceful? #jan25 #egypt
Mubarak it seems is in no doubt about damage done by previous outside pressure for change in the Middle East. According to leaked US diplomatic cables, he says past attempts have only produced chaos; including the ousting of the Shah in Iran, and the election of Hamas in Gaza.
But opposition figure Mohamed ElBaradei has pressed the US to do more to abandon Mubarak:
The American government cannot ask the Egyptian people to believe that a dictator who has been in power for 30 years would be the one to implement democracy. This is a farce... And you (the United States) have to stop the life support to the dictator and root for the people. In the region, reactions have been very mixed. Some in Israel are worried that Mubarak could be replaced by forces that oppose the peace treaty, possibly the Muslim Brotherhood. Barry Rubin writes in the Jerusalem Post: "The situation could not be more dangerous and might be the biggest disaster for the region and Western interests since the Iranian revolution three decades ago" and cites a recent poll which says that twice as many Egyptians support Islamists over modernisers.
According to Israeli newspaper Haaretz, Israel called on the United States and a number of European countries over the weekend to curb their criticism of President Mubarak to preserve stability in the region.
And Israel is not alone in its concerns. Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia have all reportedly criticised the protesters. Perhaps some leaders fear the example could spread in their direction. While Iran has said Egyptian authorities should respect the demonstrators.
But Egyptian protesters say "We are not Iran, We are not Afghanistan. Egypt is different." Joseph Mayton likens the moment to Eastern Europe in 1989 and says attempts by some US media outlets to compare the uprising to another Iran is 'simply fearmongering'.
What do you think? Do you want President Mubarak to step down?
Xavier here, I''m afraid we''ve run out of time. Thanks for all your comments, and you can keep posting on the blog.
Comment sent via YOURSAY
18:58
113631290
Cricket emailed from Searsmont, Maine -
A substantial minority of Americans recognise that it was the the despotic incarceration of dissenters in Egypt which gave rise to Al Qaeda. US support of despots in the name of stability has to stop somewhere - when better than now?
Comment sent via host
18:57
113631290
This just flashed up on the ±«Óãtv''s internal Newsire. The Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he fears an organised Islamist group could take over the government in Egypt: "Our real concern is that in a situation which can develop, a situation of rapid change, if all the structures and foundations of modern democracy as we know it are not intact, the outcome is fundamentalist Islamic oppressive regimes that certainly oppress human rights, crashing them to dust."
Comment sent via host
18:54
113631290
From the ±«Óãtv Online''''s live update on the crisis in Egypt: Hossam el-Hamalawy, an Egyptian blogger and journalist from Cairo, tells the Washington Post: "I see [President Mubarak] stepping down pretty soon or else he will be taken into custody of the protestors and will be put on trial. I do not worry about power vacuum because the people are already taking initiatives on the ground to fill any security or political vacuums, as we saw in the case of the popular committee that are running security now in the Egyptian neighbourhoods." Click here for more
Comment sent via YOURSAY
18:51
113631290
Tazmeen emailed -
The "West" appears to have a ridiculous paranoia about an "Islamist" movement replacing the current regime in Egypt. At the end of the day it is up to the Egyptian people to decide what and who comes next.
Comment sent via host
18:50
113631290
From the ±«Óãtv Online''s live update on the crisis in Egypt:
Hossam el-Hamalawy, an Egyptian blogger and journalist from Cairo, tells the Washington Post: "I see [President Mubarak] stepping down pretty soon or else he will be taken into custody of the protestors and will be put on trial. I do not worry about power vacuum because the people are already taking initiatives on the ground to fill any security or political vacuums, as we saw in the case of the popular committee that are running security now in the Egyptian neighbourhoods."
Comment sent via SMS
18:50
114295205
Mr Mubarak should go into exile to avoid the jail, given his dirty past. All these desperate manuavers cannot save his despotic epoch from the power of the people. It didn’t matter who takes over, provided if it reflects the will of the people even if it is an islamic government. Mustapha Kawoje. Nigeria.
Comment sent via YOURSAY
18:47
113631290
Clayton emailed -
While it is perfectly natural to fear an Islamic government as an unforeseen result of the revolution, but it is irrelevant in the argument. Essentially those who use this are saying that democracy should be stifled for feat of what it will bring.
Comment sent via YOURSAY
18:47
113631290
Jessica emailed from Texas -
Listening to the argument your guest used to explain why it's unlikely Egypt would become one of the "radicalized" Islamic states definitely eased my mind. May Egyptians find the respect and freedom they seek!
Comment sent via SMS
18:44
116403715
The era of sit-tight syndrome in Africa is over. Mubarak can not withstand the wind of change that has started in Tunisia. His regime is in dissarray. Cabinet reshufflement shows that the regime is in its twighlight. Peter Ibi, Nasarawa state, Nigeria.
Comment sent via Facebook
18:46
113631290
Anthony in Uganda on Facebook: Most of us who are twenty five years old and below have lived under one leader most of our life. They are the best and worst that we know. So I think it's high time he left before things go worse. Change must happen not only in Egypt but in all nations that have been under one regime for more than ten years should.
Comment sent via SMS
18:45
116403733
I’m an American who’s been to Egypt a few times, and I am in complete support of the present long-overdue uprising. I realize there are risks, but I have faith, and hope Obama can set aside realpolitik now.
Comment sent via host
18:41
113631290
From the ±«Óãtv''s live update on Egypt: The US ambassador to Egypt, Margaret Scobey, recently warned in a diplomatic cable leaked by Wikileaks that President Hosni Mubarak appeared to have no firm succession plans. "He seems to be trusting to God and the ubiquitous military and civilian security services to ensure an orderly transition," she wrote. Click here for more on the crisis
Comment sent via Facebook
18:39
113631290
Dionne in Brooklyn on Facebook: As an American, I believe Mubarak should step down. Peronally, I'm tired of America policing the world. But I do believe in democracy. Every citizen of every country should have the right to choose their governments in safe and fair elections without fear or threats.
Comment sent via Facebook
18:37
113631290
Martin on Facebook: One of the big shopping centers in Cairo has been looted and trashed .. I am totally against dictatorships and all of that, but they need to be careful what they unleash.
Comment sent via host
18:35
113631290
The ±«Óãtv''''s Kevin Connolly in Cairo says: "Military checkpoints on key roads around Cairo are beginning to do more to restrict the flow of traffic, and the authorities have closed the railway system to make it harder for the opposition to make good on their threat to mark the eighth day of protest in Egypt by bringing a million people onto the streets." Check our live page for more updates on the tumult in Egypt
Comment sent via Facebook
18:34
113631290
W Stephan in Oregon on Facebook: It seems that some time in the near future Mubarak will be gone simply by virtue of age. Are there any foreign educated within the military who have interest in representative government. Will the new government be designed by the military?
Comment sent via YOURSAY
18:28
113631290
Dina in Osaka, Japan emailed the ±«Óãtv: I'm an Egyptian studying in Japan. I have never been prouder of my people. I'd do anything to get on the first plane back to Egypt. I just spoke to my friend, he's standing in Tahrir square with two hundred thousand people, and says the sights is giving him chills down the spine.
Do you want President Mubarak to step down?
| Monday, 1 Jan. 2011 | 17:31 - 19:31 GMT
Washington and European capitals want to keep Egypt stable and allied to the West. Up until now, President Mubarak has been viewed as a man who can deliver that.
But now it seems they are not so sure if they should back him and push him to change, or to support an alternative.
US State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley tweeted on 29th Jan that the U.S. wanted to see Mubarak fulfil his pledges of reform:
The Egyptian government can't reshuffle the deck and then stand pat. President Mubarak's words pledging reform must be followed by action.
But later he tweets what Hillary Clinton said over the weekend:
#SecClinton today: U.S. supports a peaceful, orderly transition to free, fair and credible elections that lead to real democracy in #egypt.
And then again:
#SecClinton today: The government must open an inclusive national dialogue with the people of #Egypt as part of a lengthy process of reform.
Do they want Mubarak's government to have a dialogue with the people or do they want a transition to a new government?
Some Egyptians certainly feel let down. Osam in Cairo says: "Obama has to be on our side. Where is your democracy? You say Arabs are just donkeys, but the USA is supporting the system, not the people" and Arab journalist, Shoruk_K tweets: P.J Crowley "support peaceful transition" REALLY? So tear gas canisters MADE IN USA is peaceful? #jan25 #egypt
Mubarak it seems is in no doubt about damage done by previous outside pressure for change in the Middle East. According to leaked US diplomatic cables, he says past attempts have only produced chaos; including the ousting of the Shah in Iran, and the election of Hamas in Gaza.
But opposition figure Mohamed ElBaradei has pressed the US to do more to abandon Mubarak:
The American government cannot ask the Egyptian people to believe that a dictator who has been in power for 30 years would be the one to implement democracy. This is a farce... And you (the United States) have to stop the life support to the dictator and root for the people.
In the region, reactions have been very mixed. Some in Israel are worried that Mubarak could be replaced by forces that oppose the peace treaty, possibly the Muslim Brotherhood. Barry Rubin writes in the Jerusalem Post: "The situation could not be more dangerous and might be the biggest disaster for the region and Western interests since the Iranian revolution three decades ago" and cites a recent poll which says that twice as many Egyptians support Islamists over modernisers.
According to Israeli newspaper Haaretz, Israel called on the United States and a number of European countries over the weekend to curb their criticism of President Mubarak to preserve stability in the region.
And Israel is not alone in its concerns. Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia have all reportedly criticised the protesters. Perhaps some leaders fear the example could spread in their direction. While Iran has said Egyptian authorities should respect the demonstrators.
But Egyptian protesters say "We are not Iran, We are not Afghanistan. Egypt is different." Joseph Mayton likens the moment to Eastern Europe in 1989 and says attempts by some US media outlets to compare the uprising to another Iran is 'simply fearmongering'.
What do you think? Do you want President Mubarak to step down?
Your comments
Comment sent via host
Xavier here, I''m afraid we''ve run out of time. Thanks for all your comments, and you can keep posting on the blog.
Comment sent via YOURSAY
Cricket emailed from Searsmont, Maine - A substantial minority of Americans recognise that it was the the despotic incarceration of dissenters in Egypt which gave rise to Al Qaeda. US support of despots in the name of stability has to stop somewhere - when better than now?
Comment sent via host
This just flashed up on the ±«Óãtv''s internal Newsire. The Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he fears an organised Islamist group could take over the government in Egypt: "Our real concern is that in a situation which can develop, a situation of rapid change, if all the structures and foundations of modern democracy as we know it are not intact, the outcome is fundamentalist Islamic oppressive regimes that certainly oppress human rights, crashing them to dust."
Comment sent via host
From the ±«Óãtv Online''''s live update on the crisis in Egypt: Hossam el-Hamalawy, an Egyptian blogger and journalist from Cairo, tells the Washington Post: "I see [President Mubarak] stepping down pretty soon or else he will be taken into custody of the protestors and will be put on trial. I do not worry about power vacuum because the people are already taking initiatives on the ground to fill any security or political vacuums, as we saw in the case of the popular committee that are running security now in the Egyptian neighbourhoods." Click here for more
Comment sent via YOURSAY
Tazmeen emailed - The "West" appears to have a ridiculous paranoia about an "Islamist" movement replacing the current regime in Egypt. At the end of the day it is up to the Egyptian people to decide what and who comes next.
Comment sent via host
From the ±«Óãtv Online''s live update on the crisis in Egypt: Hossam el-Hamalawy, an Egyptian blogger and journalist from Cairo, tells the Washington Post: "I see [President Mubarak] stepping down pretty soon or else he will be taken into custody of the protestors and will be put on trial. I do not worry about power vacuum because the people are already taking initiatives on the ground to fill any security or political vacuums, as we saw in the case of the popular committee that are running security now in the Egyptian neighbourhoods."
Comment sent via SMS
Mr Mubarak should go into exile to avoid the jail, given his dirty past. All these desperate manuavers cannot save his despotic epoch from the power of the people. It didn’t matter who takes over, provided if it reflects the will of the people even if it is an islamic government. Mustapha Kawoje. Nigeria.
Comment sent via YOURSAY
Clayton emailed - While it is perfectly natural to fear an Islamic government as an unforeseen result of the revolution, but it is irrelevant in the argument. Essentially those who use this are saying that democracy should be stifled for feat of what it will bring.
Comment sent via YOURSAY
Jessica emailed from Texas - Listening to the argument your guest used to explain why it's unlikely Egypt would become one of the "radicalized" Islamic states definitely eased my mind. May Egyptians find the respect and freedom they seek!
Comment sent via SMS
The era of sit-tight syndrome in Africa is over. Mubarak can not withstand the wind of change that has started in Tunisia. His regime is in dissarray. Cabinet reshufflement shows that the regime is in its twighlight. Peter Ibi, Nasarawa state, Nigeria.
Comment sent via Facebook
Anthony in Uganda on Facebook: Most of us who are twenty five years old and below have lived under one leader most of our life. They are the best and worst that we know. So I think it's high time he left before things go worse. Change must happen not only in Egypt but in all nations that have been under one regime for more than ten years should.
Comment sent via SMS
I’m an American who’s been to Egypt a few times, and I am in complete support of the present long-overdue uprising. I realize there are risks, but I have faith, and hope Obama can set aside realpolitik now.
Comment sent via host
From the ±«Óãtv''s live update on Egypt: The US ambassador to Egypt, Margaret Scobey, recently warned in a diplomatic cable leaked by Wikileaks that President Hosni Mubarak appeared to have no firm succession plans. "He seems to be trusting to God and the ubiquitous military and civilian security services to ensure an orderly transition," she wrote. Click here for more on the crisis
Comment sent via Facebook
Dionne in Brooklyn on Facebook: As an American, I believe Mubarak should step down. Peronally, I'm tired of America policing the world. But I do believe in democracy. Every citizen of every country should have the right to choose their governments in safe and fair elections without fear or threats.
Comment sent via Facebook
Martin on Facebook: One of the big shopping centers in Cairo has been looted and trashed .. I am totally against dictatorships and all of that, but they need to be careful what they unleash.
Comment sent via host
The ±«Óãtv''''s Kevin Connolly in Cairo says: "Military checkpoints on key roads around Cairo are beginning to do more to restrict the flow of traffic, and the authorities have closed the railway system to make it harder for the opposition to make good on their threat to mark the eighth day of protest in Egypt by bringing a million people onto the streets." Check our live page for more updates on the tumult in Egypt
Comment sent via Facebook
W Stephan in Oregon on Facebook: It seems that some time in the near future Mubarak will be gone simply by virtue of age. Are there any foreign educated within the military who have interest in representative government. Will the new government be designed by the military?
Comment sent via YOURSAY
Dina in Osaka, Japan emailed the ±«Óãtv: I'm an Egyptian studying in Japan. I have never been prouder of my people. I'd do anything to get on the first plane back to Egypt. I just spoke to my friend, he's standing in Tahrir square with two hundred thousand people, and says the sights is giving him chills down the spine.