Obama: It's time for Mubarak to 'change'
WASHINGTON, Feb. 6 (UPI) -- U.S. President Barack Obama Sunday declined again to openly tell Hosni Mubarak to go but said Egypt has changed permanently.
In a White House interview with Bill O'Reilly of Fox News, Obama said the United States can't force Mubarak to quit, but "what we can do is we can say, the time is now for you to start making change in that country."
The interview was taped just before the president held a Super Bowl party with a guest list including Jennifer Lopez and her husband, Marc Anthony, The New York Times reported. He said he would welcome and "schmooze" with his guests before the game, but his eyes would be on the field once the Packers and Steelers start playing.
Obama seemed slightly irritated with the conservative commentator only when asked whether he really would watch the game.
"Bill, I know football, man," he said.
Egyptian PM: Mubarak should finish term
CAIRO, Feb. 6 (UPI) -- Egyptian Prime Minister Ahmed Shafiq said Sunday President Hosni Mubarak needs to serve out his term until September.
In an interview with CNN, Shafiq said, "President Mubarak will leave in September. ... We insist here in Egypt to continue his period until the end of September because … a lot of points must be covered before he leaves."
"This formal action must be respected," Shafiq said.
Asked about the arrests of journalists and human-rights activists, the premier said, "Frankly speaking, there is some problem. It's not intended at all."
Authorities are not preventing "anyone [from] doing his work," he asserted, and he promised to investigate the detentions.
Palin speech canceled over 'attacks'
GLENDALE, Colo., Feb. 6 (UPI) -- A Colorado group has called off an appearance by former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, citing "personal attacks" against her.
The Sharon K. Pacheco Foundation, which supports military families, said Palin would not speak at its Patriots & Warriors Gala, a benefit in Glendale May 2, The Denver Post reported.
The foundation's announcement said no "direct threats have been made against anyone," but "an onslaught of personal attacks against Gov. Palin and others associated with her appearance" raised "safety concerns." It said the event would be rescheduled with a different speaker.
The Post was unable to reach the foundation or a Palin spokesperson for further comment.
May 2 happens to be the scheduled date of a Republican presidential debate at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in California. No potential candidate has committed to attend. Palin has been the center of speculation as a possible contender.
ElBaradei angles for role in transition
WASHINGTON, Feb. 6 (UPI) -- Mohamed ElBaradei said Sunday he is not part of negotiations in Egypt but wants to be "an agent for change."
"I have not been invited to take part in the negotiation," the former international nuclear monitor told NBC's "Meet the Press," and he questioned the talks between Vice President Omar Suleiman and some opposition groups.
"The process is opaque. … The process is managed by the outgoing regime without the involvement of the new opposition or the rest of the people."
ElBaradei said President Hosni Mubarak's resignation has become "almost an obsession by many people who have demonstrated, the young people."
He called for a one-year transitional government before a new constitution and free elections.
Asked whether he wanted to lead such a transition, ElBaradei said, "I want to be an agent for change. … If I can do that in a peaceful, orderly way with every other Egyptian, I'll be absolutely happy and I have fulfilled the mission of my life."
On the same program, Egyptian Ambassador to the United States Sameh Shoukry said, "Certainly, things as they were are over."
