Obama Stresses Egypt Transition in Calls to Leaders

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama called leaders from Germany, Britain and the United Arab Emirates Saturday to discuss the situation in Egypt and the need for political change there, the White House said.

"The President emphasized the importance of an orderly, peaceful transition, beginning now, to a government that is responsive to the aspirations of the Egyptian people, including credible, inclusive negotiations between the government and the opposition," the White House said in a summary of Obama's conversations.

Obama also voiced "his serious concern about the targeting of journalists and human rights groups, and reaffirmed that the government of Egypt has a responsibility to protect the rights of its people and to release immediately those who have been unjustly detained," the White House said. (Reporting by Alister Bull; Editing by Peter Cooney)