Obama urges Egyptian leader to step down

US President Barack Obama has offered his support for the Egyptian protesters and called for President Hosni Mubarak to step down, The Associated Press reported.

Obama's message came as Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak announced he would not seek re-election, in an attempt to quell the country’s chaos.

Obama said Mubarak must begin a transition immediately toward a new government and assured protesters demanding the ouster of their longtime leader that "we hear your voices".

He said demonstrators had been mostly peaceful and were "an inspiration to people around the world".

In Cairo, Mubarak said he would not seek re-election in September, but he rejected protesters' demands that he step down immediately, a halfway concession that did not calm his critics.

Obama's comments suggested that September might not be soon enough. He did say that Mubarak "recognises that the status quo is not sustainable and that a change must take place".

The 82-year-old Egyptian leader addressed his nation as hundreds of thousands of demonstrators rallied in Cairo's Tahrir Square calling for an end to his rule.

Egypt faced a choice between "chaos and stability," Mubarak said.

"We are going through difficult days and the most frightening thing is the fear that has been shaking the majority of Egyptians and the fear they have about what tomorrow may bring," he said in a statement aired on state television.

Confirming his decision to step down, he went on to say: "I am now careful to conclude my work for Egypt for presenting Egypt to the next government in a constitutional way that will protect Egypt."