Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has been a staunch U.S. ally, and Egypt is among the recipients who receive a large sum of U.S. foreign aid. As Egyptian protesters flooded the streets, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said that while the Obama administration backs freedom of expression, it ultimately supports the Egyptian government.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton: “We support the fundamental right of expression and assembly for all people, and we urge that all parties exercise restraint and refrain from violence. But our assessment is that the Egyptian government is stable and is looking for ways to respond to the legitimate needs and interests of the Egyptian people.”