Egypt is making progress in resolving its political crisis as talks between the government and opposition groups were underway, US President Barack Obama said Monday, dpa reported.
"Obviously Egypt has to negotiate a path and they're making progress," Obama told reporters after delivering a speech to the business community in Washington. He not elaborate.
Egyptian Vice President Omar Suleiman met with representatives from one of the largest opposition groups, the Muslim Brotherhood on Sunday. And the newly appointed cabinet met Monday night to discuss reforms.
The Muslim Brotherhood emerged from the discussion saying the government made no concessions while acknowledging that talks were in their infancy.
White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said Obama was referring to "beginnings of a process that is taking place" when he made the remarks.
Egyptian President Hosny Mubarak announced last week he would step down when his term expires in September, but the mass protests have continued demanding he resign immediately, instead pushing for a quick transition process.
The US has not said whether Mubarak should leave now. State Department spokesman PJ Crowley noted Monday that under the current Egyptian constitution an election would be required to take place within 60 days of Mubarak departure.
Crowley said it "would be challenging undertaking" to hold free and fair elections so quickly, given Egypt's history of elections that effectively guaranteed Mubarak's victory.
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