White House: Egypt has 'great opportunity' for reforms

Protests in Egypt give the government of President Hosni Mubarak a "great opportunity" to advance some of the political reforms U.S. officials have been discussing with Cairo, including freedom of speech, a White House official said on Thursday.

Deputy National Security Adviser Denis McDonough, speaking in a White House webcast, also urged the government and protesters in Egypt to refrain from violence. (Reuters)