US and world wrongfooted by Mubarak as White House tries to keep
up  By refusing to leave office, the Egyptian president has
exposed Obama's inability to decisively influence the country
Barack Obama has ended two weeks of dithering over the Egyptian
uprising by issuing a statement expressing disappointment with
the refusal of Egypt's president, Hosni Mubarak, to stand down.
In a lengthy statement, Obama was sceptical about the pace and
commitment of the Egyptian government towards democracy and
added a rebuke, albeit mild, to Mubarak.   His comments
reflected dismay elsewhere round the world. The British
government said it was looking closely at Mubarak's speech.  The
White House statement came late last night after Obama was
wrongfooted by Mubarak. Both Obama and the CIA director, Leon
Panetta, had given the impression earlier in the day that they
expected Mubarak to stand down.  Obama, who had been on trip to
Michigan, watched Mubarak's statement aboard Air Force One and,
on landing, rushed to the White