Obama: I Hope Mubarak Makes the Right Decision

President Obama reiterated Friday that Egyptians must determine their own future - but added that he hopes President Hosni Mubarak "will end up making the right decision" regarding when he leaves power.

Mubarak has vowed not to run for reelection in September elections, but protesters want him to step down immediately.

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"Now, I believe that President Mubarak cares about his country," Mr. Obama said. "He is proud, but he's also a patriot." The president told reporters that Mubarak "needs to listen to what's being voiced by the Egyptian people and make a judgment about a pathway forward that is orderly but that is meaningful and serious."

"He's already said that he's not going to run for reelection," the president continued. "This is somebody who's been in power for a very long time in Egypt. Having made that psychological break, that decision that he will not be running again, I think the most important for him to ask himself, for the Egyptian government to ask itself, as well as the opposition to ask itself is, how do we make that transition effective and lasting and legitimate?"

Added Mr. Obama: "The key question he should be asking himself is, 'how do I leave a legacy behind in which Egypt is able to get through this transformative period?' And my hope is that he will end up making the right decision."

The White House is reportedly in talks with top Egyptian officials about the prospect of an immediate resignation by Mubarak, with the longtime leader potentially handing over power on an interim basis to Vice President Omar Suleiman. (Here's an interview with the New York Times reporter who broke the story.)

Mr. Obama seemed to allude to such talks in his comments, though he fell short of stating that the United States is involved in them.

"The future of Egypt will be determined by its people," he said. "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 the Egyptian people and that leads to free and fair elections. Now, the details of this transition will be worked out by Egyptians, and my understanding is that some discussions have begun."

He continued: "But we are consulting widely within Egypt and with the international community to communicate our strong belief that a successful and orderly transition must be meaningful, negotiations should include a broad representation of the Egyptian opposition, and this transition must address the legitimate grievances of those who seek a better future."

Mr. Obama also reiterated his condemnation of violence against protesters, activists and members of the media.

"In recent days we've seen violence and harassment erupt on the streets of Egypt that violates human rights, universal values, and international norms," he said. "So we are sending a strong and unequivocal message, attacks on reporters are unacceptable. Attacks on human rights activists are unacceptable. Attacks on peaceful protestors are unacceptable. The Egyptian government has a responsibility to protect the rights of its people."

The president said America is "encouraged" by the "restraint" seen Friday, a day in which protests have been largely free of the violent actions by pro-Mubarak protesters that led to ugly scenes earlier this week. But he also stuck to a general tone of frustration with the Egyptian government, stating that "going back to the old ways is not going to work."

"Suppression is not going to work," he said. "Engaging in violence is not going to work. Attempting to shut down information flows is not going to work. In order for Egypt to have a bright future, which I believe it can have, 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, representative government that is responsive to the grievances of the Egyptian people."

"Right now a great and ancient civilization is going through a time of tumult and transformation," the president added. "Even as there are grave challenges and great uncertainty, 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 comments came during a joint appearance with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper at the White House following bilateral meetings between the two leaders.