Obama phones associate leaders on Egypt

WASHINGTON: President Barack Obama on Saturday welcomed Egypt's new military rulers' assurance to civilian rule and admiration for all treaties and anxious U.S. support, as well as economic support, for Egypt.

Obama called foreign leaders including British Prime Minister David Cameron, Jordan's King Abdullah and Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday to talk about the latest improvement in Egypt, the White House said in a report.

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak was compulsory from power on Friday by a striking 18-day revolution that changed the course of history in the key U.S. ally, and left Washington facing deep vagueness and huge challenges that could have repercussions for its strategy across the Middle East.

"The President (Obama) welcomed the significant change that has been made by the Egyptian nation, and reaffirmed his esteem for their efforts," the statement said. "He also welcomed the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces' statement today that it is loyal to a independent civilian changeover, and will stand by Egypt's international obligations."

Washington has walked a fine line since the demonstrations blow up; support the democratic hope of the protesters but trying not to support disturbance that could tip out over into other parts of the oil-rich region.

Saturday's message from Egypt's military leaders was clearly meant to soothe anxiety in Israel and Washington about Egypt's 1979 peace treaty with Israel. Egypt was the first Arab country to make peace with the Jewish state.

Egypt's planned consequence to the United States includes its role in Middle East peace efforts since the peace accord with Israel, as guardian of the Suez Canal and as a counterweight to Iran.

Obama worried Washington's promise to provide support "necessary and requested" by the people of Egypt to follow a believable and orderly transition to democracy, including working with international partners to provide financial support.

"The president give emphasis to his certainty that democracy will bring more -- not less -- constancy to the region," the U.S. declaration said.

Egypt's military, which relies on $1.3 billion in annual U.S. aid, is seen as the key to keeping the state of affairs in the Arab world's most populous country from downward into disorder.

The U.S. military has close attach to Egyptian forces and Mohamed Hussein Tantawi, head of the military council that took control in Egypt, has spoken with U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates by phone at least five times during the wave of mass complaint, as well as as late as Thursday evening.

Obama, Cameron and Abdullah agreed to work closely together, and agreed on the importance of a passive changeover to a democratic government approachable to the needs of the Egyptian people, the White House said.

Obama reaffirmed the strong U.S. assurance to at the bottom of a more diplomatic and well-off Middle East in close discussion with all of its regional partners.

U.S. Undersecretary of State William Burns call Jordan on Friday and Saturday and talk about the situation in Egypt, among other matters, the U.S. Statement Department said.