Washington: Egypt’s president, the target of angry protests in the country, spoke out after days of unrest and calls from the people for his resignation. President Hosni Mubarak told his nation it needs dialogue, not violence and that he has asked for the government to step down. He made no indication he would leave office. He said, “As the President of this country, I assure you that I’m working for the people and giving freedoms of opinion as long as you are respecting the law. There is a little line between freedom and chaos.”

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Thousands of anti government protesters took to the streets and demonstrators hurling rocks clashed with riot police in Cairo.

Tear gas filled the air as law enforcement tried to break up the crowds. This unrest is an outpour of people fed up with Mubarak and a troubled economy, as many are calling on their President to step down.

The Egyptian government is trying to quiet the message in an otherwise open society, shutting down major internet and cell phone services, making communication and organization difficult. A curfew was issued, but ignored by protesters.

The Obama Administration is standing up for the rights of the Egyptian people.

US President Barack Obama said, “I want to be very clear in calling on the Egyptian authorities to refrain from any violence against peaceful protesters. The people of Egypt have rights that are universal and that includes the right to peaceful assembly.”