White House: ‘Now means yesterday’ for Mubarak

In today's press briefing, the White House underscored President Obama's call for Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak to immediately begin his transition out of power.

Last night, Obama issued a brief public statement that included just one line about a prospective deadline for Mubarak's exit from power: "My belief is that an orderly transition must be meaningful, must be peaceful and it must begin now," Obama said.

But White House press secretary Robert Gibbs was more explicit Wednesday.

"'Now' means 'yesterday,'" Gibbs explained. "When we said 'now,' we meant 'yesterday'... that's what the people of Egypt want to see," Gibbs said, adding that a process that begins one week, one month, or many months from now won't suffice.

Mubarak's announcement Tuesday that he will continue to serve in office, but won't run for re-election in September didn't do anything to placate the country's enormous and vocal corps of anti-Mubarak protesters. Indeed, the declaration further inflamed many protesters who want to see an immediate change in power.

Gibbs said he believes Mubarak's statement "began that transition yesterday," adding "most importantly, that's what the people of Egypt expect."

Gibbs would not comment on whether the United States would rescind aid to Egypt if Mubarak does not follow through--or if the president spelled out any other adverse consequences should Mubarak prolong his hold on power when the two men spoke yesterday. Gibbs' only response was to say "I do not think the president could have been clearer."

The United States continues to condemn violence in the region.

Reports indicate that violent clashes and attacks have increased in Cairo's Tahrir square following Mubarak's announcement as mobs of Mubarak supporters charged the square.

Asked about how Obama viewed the escalation of violence, Gibbs responded: "I think the president found the images outrageous and deplorable. Everybody did." He would not comment on whether the Egyptian government had instigated Wednesday's violence.

Gibbs also declined to answer a question about whether the administration regards Mubarak as a dictator. Instead, Gibbs replied: "President Mubarak has a chance to show the world exactly who he is by beginning this transition that is so desperately needed in his country now."

(Photo of Gibbs at Wednesday's briefing: Getty Images/Alex Wong)