Schumer Praises President Obama's Egypt Response
NEW YORK (WCBS 880/AP) -- Senator Chuck Schumer praised President Barack Obama Sunday for the U.S. response to the revolt in Egypt.
Schumer said he believes the president has done a "good job," and said the United States must seek to pursue the best possible path for stability in the region.
The senator also cautioned against the country being too hands on in regards to Egypt. Schumer believes, however, Obama was doing the right thing by pressing the case for democracy.
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WCBS 880's Mike Xirinachs with more on Schumer's reaction to the unrest in Egypt
"I don't think we, the president or the United States should tell Egypt who their leader should be," he said, adding U.S. leaders should "press the case that certain political and economic rights be given to the Egyptian people as the best way to bring stability."
Now in their sixth day of protests, Egyptian demonstrators have continued to stage anti-government rallies in hopes of ousting President Hosni Mubarak after 30-years in power.
Obama called foreign leaders this weekend to convey his administration's desire for restraint and an orderly transition to a more responsive government in Egypt. The White House said he spoke with leaders from Britain, Turkey, Israel and Saudi Arabia, and sought their input.
The president also got a briefing Sunday morning from his national security staff, and senior policy officials gathered for a deputies committee meeting to discuss the situation in Egypt.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton made clear there are no discussions at this time about cutting off aid to Egypt, which receives about $1.5 billion in annual foreign assistance from the U.S. to help modernize its armed forces and strengthen regional security and stability. White House spokesman Robert Gibbs had said Friday that military and civilian aid was under review.
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