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America.gov (Washington, DC)

Washington — President Obama said violence against peaceful demonstrators and the shutdown of information sources will not resolve Egypt's political unrest, and he repeated his call for the Egyptian government to immediately begin an orderly transition process that includes a broad section of the Egyptian opposition and addresses their grievances.

"The issues at stake in Egypt will not be resolved through violence or suppression," Obama said February 4 in remarks with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper. "Attacks on reporters are unacceptable. Attacks on human rights activists are unacceptable. Attacks on peaceful protesters are unacceptable."

"The future of Egypt will be determined by its people. It's also clear that there needs to be a transition process that begins now. That transition must initiate a process that respects the universal rights of the Egyptian people and that leads to free and fair elections," the president said.

Obama told reporters he has had two conversations with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak since the country's crisis began, and on both occasions he emphasized to Mubarak that the Egyptian people -- not other countries and not the United States -- will determine Egypt's future.

"But I have also said that in light of what's happened over the last two weeks, going back to the old ways is not going to work. Suppression is not going to work. Engaging in violence is not going to work. Attempting to shut down information flows -- it is not going to work," he said.

Obama urged Mubarak to consult with his advisers and "listen to what is begin voiced by the Egyptian people" and decide on a pathway forward that would be orderly, but also "meaningful and serious."

"If you end up having just gestures towards the opposition but it leads to a continued suppression of the opposition, it's not going to work. If you have the pretense of reform but not real reform, it's not going to be effective," he said.

"The only thing that will work is moving an orderly transition process that begins right now, that engages all the parties, that leads to democratic practices, fair and free elections, a representative government that is responsive to the grievances of the Egyptian people," Obama said.

The president said the Egyptian government is responsible for protecting the rights of its people and the demonstrators have a responsibility to be peaceful. The United States is encouraged by the restraint that was shown on February 4 and "we hope that it continues," Obama said.

"We want to see this moment of turmoil turn into a moment of opportunity," he said. "I am confident that the Egyptian people can shape the future that they deserve. And as they do, they will continue to have a strong friend and partner in the United States of America."

The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen, told ABC News television February 4 that so far he has spoken twice to his counterpart in the Egyptian military, General Sami Anan, and "he has assured me he's not going to fire on his people; that they are very focused on the people of Egypt."

"We all hope [this] is an orderly, peaceful, violent-free transition," Mullen said.

White House spokesman Robert Gibbs told reporters during a February 4 news briefing that U.S. leaders are "heartened to see restraint," but continue to receive "very disturbing reports about what you could only say is very systematic targeting of journalists, particularly international journalists."

"We deplore the images and the violence that we've seen for human rights groups and that have impacted particularly international journalists, and call again on the government of Egypt to take some concrete steps toward direct negotiations that will bring about the type of change that we need to see on a path towards an orderly transition and free and fair elections," Gibbs said.