US Sends Special Envoy To Egypt

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Obama administration has sent a retired senior diplomat to Egypt to press the U.S. case for democratic reforms to top Egyptian officials amid spiraling anti-government protests that aim to topple the country's authoritarian president.

The State Department said Monday that the former ambassador to Egypt, Frank Wisner, is now on the ground in Cairo and will be meeting with Egyptian officials to urge them to embrace broad economic and political changes that can pave the way for free and fair elections.

State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley said Wisner, who was U.S. ambassador to Egypt from 1986 to 1991, has vast experience in the region as well as close relationships with many Egyptians in and out of government.