U.S. in talks for Mubarak to quit immediately - by Sheldon Alberts

Just before Barack Obama spoke to Americans Tuesday night about the crisis in Egypt, veteran CNN political sage David Gergen issued a prescient warning to the U.S. President.

"I'm not sure what he can do to help in this situation," Mr. Gergen said. He was right. Less than 12 hours after Mr. Obama announced Hosni Mubarak "recognizes" the need for dramatic change, the Egyptian President's supporters unleashed a wave of violence. The tumult and thuggery not only exposed the tactics Mr. Mubarak, 82, will use to maintain control, they have also shown the limits of U.S. power over an ally once considered its strongest in the Arab world.

In Britain, The Times, relying on Obama administration officials and Arab diplomats, said even though Mr. Mubarak has balked at leaving officials from both governments are continuing talks about a plan in which, Mr. Suleiman, backed by Sami Enan, chief of the Egyptian armed forces, and Field Marshal Mohamed Tantawi, the Defence 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.

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