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?
So the army are saying they won''t use force against Egyptians. It appears to be a reaction to a call by the opposition for a million people to take to Cairo''s streets on Tuesday. Israa Abdul Fattah, a founder of the 6 April youth movement, earlier told the Associated Press: "We don''t want life to go back to normal until Mubarak leaves." Check the 91Èȱ¬''s live page the protests in Egypt...
Comment sent via SMS
18:14
116403432
Mubarak has been in power for over 30 years. Mubarak has failed the Egyptians, he has failed the Palestines and the Middle East. But what have the Egyptian people put in place for post Mubarak? Jana
Comment sent via SMS
18:17
110500499
If people grew food instead of wasting time protesting, things might get better. No regime can provide cheap food out of thin air. Jo-bristol
Comment sent via YOURSAY
18:21
113631290
Suraj in Melbourne emailed the 91Èȱ¬: My Dad's business is based in Alexandria and right now he is boarded up in his apartment. He says looters have stripped the shops in the area. He had to switch off all the lights in the apartment and drift away into what he describes as one the longest nights of his life. How long before there is stability in this region?
Comment sent via SMS
18:17
108470728
Kiru in Jamaica -Mubarak must, will go. He has no choice. The Arab world has awoken from a dictatorial slumber. Watch them go - who’s next?
Comment sent via BLOG
18:19
113631290
Mieke on the blog - Hopefully now with the whole world eyes focused on Egypt they will realise that Egyptians are also people, and somebody should help them as their president is putting his wishes before his people's wishes
Comment sent via BLOG
18:18
113631290
Ibrahim on the blog - The West are paying billions of dollars to keep the regime in power, and offering political and diplomatic support to the regime. Western leaders have been standing for the dictator and against Egpytians for decades.
Comment sent via host
18:18
113631290
News just in: The Egyptian army has said that it won''t use force against the protestors. For more check our live update page for updates on the changing situation in Egypt.
Comment sent via SMS
18:12
116403410
Time has long expired for dictator like Mubarak to leave, i know Egyptains will not give up the fight for freedom and just hope the people of Uganda will follow same. ISAAC IN MONROVIA
Comment sent via YOURSAY
18:13
113631290
Sherif in the USA emails: President Mubarak should stay till the end of his term, then free elections should take place. ElBaradei does not represent all Egyptians, although he may represent a certain group. The US position shows a lack of knowledge and understanding of the region.
Comment sent via SMS
18:08
110427367
We’ve only been hearing one side: the protesters. He’s stayed too long - its true but Egypt has been doing as well as it can economically with him. I consider that stability and growth counts for as much as anything else. At let everyone give their opinion in an election - not just the chants of protesters.
Comment sent via YOURSAY
18:10
113631290
Shepherd replied to Ros' Daily Email - Shame on some African leaders who have turned themselves into self declared life presidents. Never take the people for granted and therefore Mubarak must go.
Comment sent via host
18:04
113631290
Hi it''s Xavier here. It''s day seven of the protests in Egypt. We''re asking "Do you want President Mubarak to step down?" We''re live now, so get in touch if you want to take part.
Comment sent via YOURSAY
18:10
113631290
Maliseni emailed worldhaveyoursay@bbc.com - Mubarak leaving the presidency will be good for Egyptians, but I doubt if it will be good for the Middle East. Freedom will certainly reign in Egypt, but will peace?
Comment sent via Facebook
18:09
113631290
Douglas on Facebook in North Carolina. He should not step down. Mubarak wants peace in the region and has done a damn good job helping to maintain it, despite pressure from nations like Syria and Iran who want war with Israel.
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
So the army are saying they won''t use force against Egyptians. It appears to be a reaction to a call by the opposition for a million people to take to Cairo''s streets on Tuesday. Israa Abdul Fattah, a founder of the 6 April youth movement, earlier told the Associated Press: "We don''t want life to go back to normal until Mubarak leaves." Check the 91Èȱ¬''s live page the protests in Egypt...
Comment sent via SMS
Mubarak has been in power for over 30 years. Mubarak has failed the Egyptians, he has failed the Palestines and the Middle East. But what have the Egyptian people put in place for post Mubarak? Jana
Comment sent via SMS
If people grew food instead of wasting time protesting, things might get better. No regime can provide cheap food out of thin air. Jo-bristol
Comment sent via YOURSAY
Suraj in Melbourne emailed the 91Èȱ¬: My Dad's business is based in Alexandria and right now he is boarded up in his apartment. He says looters have stripped the shops in the area. He had to switch off all the lights in the apartment and drift away into what he describes as one the longest nights of his life. How long before there is stability in this region?
Comment sent via SMS
Kiru in Jamaica -Mubarak must, will go. He has no choice. The Arab world has awoken from a dictatorial slumber. Watch them go - who’s next?
Comment sent via BLOG
Mieke on the blog - Hopefully now with the whole world eyes focused on Egypt they will realise that Egyptians are also people, and somebody should help them as their president is putting his wishes before his people's wishes
Comment sent via BLOG
Ibrahim on the blog - The West are paying billions of dollars to keep the regime in power, and offering political and diplomatic support to the regime. Western leaders have been standing for the dictator and against Egpytians for decades.
Comment sent via host
News just in: The Egyptian army has said that it won''t use force against the protestors. For more check our live update page for updates on the changing situation in Egypt.
Comment sent via SMS
Time has long expired for dictator like Mubarak to leave, i know Egyptains will not give up the fight for freedom and just hope the people of Uganda will follow same. ISAAC IN MONROVIA
Comment sent via YOURSAY
Sherif in the USA emails: President Mubarak should stay till the end of his term, then free elections should take place. ElBaradei does not represent all Egyptians, although he may represent a certain group. The US position shows a lack of knowledge and understanding of the region.
Comment sent via SMS
We’ve only been hearing one side: the protesters. He’s stayed too long - its true but Egypt has been doing as well as it can economically with him. I consider that stability and growth counts for as much as anything else. At let everyone give their opinion in an election - not just the chants of protesters.
Comment sent via YOURSAY
Shepherd replied to Ros' Daily Email - Shame on some African leaders who have turned themselves into self declared life presidents. Never take the people for granted and therefore Mubarak must go.
Comment sent via host
Hi it''s Xavier here. It''s day seven of the protests in Egypt. We''re asking "Do you want President Mubarak to step down?" We''re live now, so get in touch if you want to take part.
Comment sent via YOURSAY
Maliseni emailed worldhaveyoursay@bbc.com - Mubarak leaving the presidency will be good for Egyptians, but I doubt if it will be good for the Middle East. Freedom will certainly reign in Egypt, but will peace?
Comment sent via Facebook
Douglas on Facebook in North Carolina. He should not step down. Mubarak wants peace in the region and has done a damn good job helping to maintain it, despite pressure from nations like Syria and Iran who want war with Israel.