White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs speaks to reporters during a press briefing at the White House, on January 31, 2011 in Washington, DC. Secretary Gibbs answered questions regarding the administrations position on the situation in Egypt, saying that fundamental constructional changes in Egypt should be considered.Mark Wilson/Getty Images
Actions, not words, were demanded of embattled Egyptian ruler Hosni Mubarak, as the Obama administration attempted to tighten the screws on the long-time American friend and ally.
President Barack Obama's spokesman also signalled that the administration would welcome Islamic parties in any future Egyptian government - a striking change from Washington, which has refused to deal with avowedly Islamic political groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah.
``It is clear that the increase in democratic representation has to include a whole host of important non-secular actors that give Egypt a strong chance to continue to be the stable and reliable partner," spokesman Robert Gibbs said only hours before Egyptians were expected to respond to a call for a "march of a million" aimed at ending the 30-year, iron-fisted rule of Mr. Mubarak.
The term "non-secular" actors was a reference to the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood, the Islamic opposition party that, observers say, is a key player in the constellation of groups positioning themselves in the crisis.
Although the role of the Brotherhood remains obscure, the Obama administration's willingness to publicly welcome "non-secular" actors amounts to a significant shift.
Still, Washington stopped short - but only just - of calling for Mr. Mubarak to quit.
"We're not picking between those in the street and those in the government," Mr. Gibbs said, echoing a carefully constructed fine line used by both the President and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in recent days.
He said the White House wanted "meaningful negotiations with a broad cross-section of the Egyptian people, including opposition groups."
Although Mr. Obama has followed the policy of previous administrations and refused to deal with most Islamic political parties, including Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, both of which won their places in power in free and fair democratic elections, the call to include Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood carried only a few conditions.
The Brotherhood, Mr. Gibbs said, like other parties, must show "an adherence to the law, adherence to non-violence and a willingness to be part of that democratic process."
Mr. Mubarak's naming of a new cabinet was bluntly deemed insufficient by the White House.
``This is not about appointments, this is about actions," Mr. Gibbs said.
He also warned - as senior Obama administration officials have done with increasing stridency - that Egypt's security forces and military must not use force to crush the swelling protests.
Neither Ms. Clinton nor Mr. Obama's spokesman will go beyond saying an "orderly transition" is needed. Mr. Mubarak's fate, they say, remains in his hands and depends on the Egyptian people. But the lack of support for a long-standing ally - someone Ms. Clinton has called a family friend - is striking.
``We're calling for a change in the way the country works," Mr. Gibbs said. But while he was willing to judge that Mr. Mubarak has so far failed to deliver on the change that is needed, he declined to say just what changes Washington would deem sufficient.
``The determination as to when that change is met or how that change happens is not going to be determined or dictated by our country," Mr. Gibbs said.
Mr. Obama also sent a personal envoy - former U.S. ambassador Frank Wisner- to Cairo see Mr. Mubarak, the aging and ailing Egyptian leader who has so far shown no indication of stepping down.
The envoy's message will ``reinforce what the President has said," said P.J. Crowley, the U.S. State Department spokesman. He may also be delivering the message that is increasingly evident in Washington; that Mr. Mubarak can expect no support from his American friends.