EGYPT: US Envoy says, "Hosni Mubarak must stay"

US special envoy Frank Wisner has said that

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak should remain in power 

to oversee a transition to democracy.

The remarks appear to contradict previous US calls for Mr Mubarak to begin an immediate transition. 

The state department has not yet commented.

Mr Wisner also welcomed the resignation of Egypt's ruling party politburo. Senior figures including Mr Mubarak's son Gamal have left their posts.

Hossam Badrawi, a reformer and top physician, took the post of head of the policies committee, held by Gamal, and that of secretary-general.

Protesters still occupy Cairo's Tahrir Square, but their numbers have fallen from Friday's huge rally.

Read more...