‘Day of Departure’ in Egypt

On a Friday being called the “day of departure” for Hosni Mubarak by anti-government protesters in Egypt, the U.S. government joined in by pressuring the embattled leader to step aside immediately in favor of a transitional government.

For up-to-the-minute news, check out the Guardian’s live blog, or watch Al-Jazeera English’s coverage of the protests. —JCL

The New York Times:

The Obama administration is discussing with Egyptian officials a proposal for President Hosni Mubarak to resign immediately and turn over power to a transitional government headed by Vice President Omar Suleiman with the support of the Egyptian military, administration officials and Arab diplomats said Thursday.

Even though Mr. Mubarak has balked, so far, at leaving now, officials from both governments are continuing talks about a plan in which Mr. Suleiman, backed by Lt. Gen. Sami Enan, chief of the Egyptian armed forces, and Field Marshal Mohamed Tantawi, the defense minister, would immediately begin a process of constitutional reform.

The proposal also calls for the transitional government to invite members from a broad range of opposition groups, including the banned Muslim Brotherhood, to begin work to open up the country’s electoral system in an effort to bring about free and fair elections in September, the officials said.

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AP / Ben Curtis

A young anti-government protester leads anti-Mubarak chants at a massive rally in Cairo’s Tahrir Square on Friday.