Hillary Clinton urges Egypt to allow “orderly transition” to democracy (VIDEO)

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has urged Hosni Mubarak to allow an "orderly transition" to a "real democracy" in Egypt and said U.S. wants to see free and fair elections in Egypt as a result of the antigovernment unrest.

"Democracy, human rights and economic reform are in the best interests of the Egyptian people," she said at a press conference. "Any government that does not try to move in that direction cannot meet the legitimate interest of the people."

Clinton's call came as protesters took over the center of Egypt's capital on a sixth day of protests.

Al Jazeera reported Sunday that war planes and helicopters had been flying over Tahrir Square in Cairo, the focal point of protests, and more army trucks had appeared in a show of force.

But the thousands of protesters in Tahrir Square had stayed, despite a curfew and repeated orders from the military that they disperse.

In comments that also alluded to similar unrest in countries across the region, Clinton called on the Egyptian government to take "concrete steps" toward democratic reforms.

"The Egyptian government needs to engage with the Egyptian people in implementing needed political, economic and social reforms. We have consistently raised this with the Egyptian government over many years," she said.

"We have also raised it with other governments in the region, and there is a constant concern about the need for greater openness, greater participation on the part of the people, particularly young people."

U.S. officials have been careful not to call for the resignation of Mubarak, the Egyptian president,  but Clinton's comments seemed to inch the U.S. government toward pushing Mubarak to let go of his grip on power.

"It is absolutely vital for Egypt to embrace reform, to ensure not just its long-term stability, but also the progress and prosperity that its people richly deserve," she said.

Her comments echoed a statement Saturday from U.S. President Barack Obama, reiterating "our focus on opposing violence and calling for restraint, supporting universal rights, and supporting concrete steps that advance political reform within Egypt."

Obama received an update from his national security team on Saturday, a day after urging Mubarak to reform his government, order security forces to refrain from violence and restore internet and cell phone service.

"The United States will continue to stand up for the rights of the Egyptian people and work with their government in pursuit of a future that is more just, more free, and more hopeful," Obama said on Friday.

Clinton, meanwhile, in five separate interviews with Sunday talk shows, made clear that the United States believed that stability in the region was the top immediate priority.

Otherwise, she warned, protesters might end up facing further repression from new leaders instead of the democratic reforms they seek.

"There's no easy answer," Clinton told CNN's "State of the Union." "And, clearly, increasing chaos or even violence in the streets, prison breaks, which we've had reports about — that is not the way to go."

While endorsing U.S. support of Egypt as a longtime ally, she nevertheless referred to Mubarak as someone remaining in power.

“What we’re trying to do is to help clear the air so that those who remain in power, starting with President Mubarak, with his new vice president, with the new prime minister, will begin a process of reaching out, of creating a dialogue that will bring in peaceful activists and representatives of civil society to, you know, plan a way forward that will meet the legitimate grievances of the Egyptian people,” she said.