Barack Obama has reiterated his demand for an "orderly transition that begins now" in Egypt and urged President Hosni Mubarak "to make the right decision".
The US president said he hoped "to see this moment of turmoil turned into a moment of opportunity".
He spoke as huge crowds demonstrated across Egypt for an 11th day calling for Mr Mubarak to resign immediately.
Despite the protests, Prime Minister Ahmed Shafiq told the BBC that it would be impractical for the president to go.
He insisted Mr Mubarak's declaration that he would not seek re-election in September was tantamount to him standing down.
"In effect, the president has stepped down already," Mr Shafiq said. "We need him during these nine months."
He separately told al-Arabiya TV that it was unlikely Mr Mubarak would hand over power to his new Vice-President, Omar Suleiman, because the president was needed "for legislative reasons".
Meanwhile, there were suggestions that the protesters would reduce their presence in central Cairo, holding big demonstrations only on Fridays, with smaller numbers there at other times.
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