Obama: We back Egypt's fight for democracy

President Obama today backed Egyptian protesters demanding a quicker transition to democracy.

The White House said the US "will continue to stand with the Egyptian people as they build a democracy worthy of Egypt's great history". The President also condemned "the excessive use of force" against the protesters.

The statement heaps more pressure on the ruling military council who today again refused to step down immediately and reiterated their determination that elections planned for Monday would go ahead.

Today in Cairo hundreds of thousands gathered again in protest following a tense truce which halted five days of violence. At least 40 people have been killed since the weekend.

Violence erupted amid fears the military council was attempting to grab power following the fall of Hosni Mubarak's regime in February. Meanwhile, Syria today condemned the Arab League's ultimatum to agree by 11am GMT to allow an observer mission into the country or face sanctions. A state-run news agency said the League "has become a tool for foreign interference". About 3,500 have died since anti-government protests began in Syria in March.

Moroccans were choosing a new parliament today in Arab Spring-inspired elections facing a boycott by pro-democracy groups who claim the ruling monarchy is not committed to real change.