拜登：穆巴拉克辞职是历史性关键时刻

美国副总统拜登说，埃及总统穆巴拉克辞职是一个历史性“关键时刻”。拜登在美国肯塔基州发表了这番评论。美国总统奥巴马很快也将在华盛顿发表一份声明。拜登说，美国从埃及政治动乱开始以来一直表示，埃及的未来将由埃及人民决定。

他说，美国在埃及民众起义期间坚持一套核心原则，其中包括认为用暴力对待示威者是“不可接受的”以及呼吁尊重埃及人民的权力等。他说，美国还敦促埃 及的政治过渡成为一个“不可逆转的变化”以及通过谈判走上民主道路。拜登补充说，美国民主党和共和党在这个问题上的看法基本保持一致，他说在今后“脆弱” 的日子里，团结将变得更加重要。

白宫说，奥巴马总统是在白宫椭圆形办公室的一次会议期间被告知穆巴拉克下台的决定。他随后看了几分钟有关开罗的电视报道。

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden says Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak's resignation is a "pivotal moment" in history. He spoke in ((the U.S. state of)) Kentucky, ahead of an expected statement in Washington by President Barack Obama. Biden said the U.S. has said from the beginning of the political unrest that the future of Egypt will be determined by the Egyptian people. 

He said the U.S. has stood for a set of core principles during the uprising, including deeming violence against demonstrators "unacceptable" and calling for the respect of Egyptians' rights. He said the U.S. has also urged that Egypt's political transition be an "irreversible change" and a negotiated path toward democracy. Biden added that Democrats and Republicans have largely spoken with one voice on the issue, and said that unity will be even more important in the "delicate" days ahead. 

The White House said President Obama was informed of Mr. Mubarak's decision to step down during a meeting in the Oval Office. He then watched television coverage of the scene in Cairo for several minutes.