Washington (CNN) -- President Barack Obama's spokesman criticized the Egyptian government on Tuesday for arresting and harassing journalists and rights activists, and called comments by Vice President Omar Suleiman that Egypt is not ready for democracy "particularly unhelpful." The remarks by White House press secretary Robert Gibbs reflected a growing U.S. dissatisfaction with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and Suleiman, the intelligence officer Mubarak chose as his deputy to bring about reforms demanded by protesters who have convulsed Cairo and the Egyptian economy for more than two weeks. In another sign of U.S. frustration with the pace of reform in Egypt, Vice President Joe Biden, in a phone call Tuesday with Suleiman, pushed for more progress, according to a White House statement.
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NEW: A U.S. source says there is frustration with Egypt's government
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White House spokesman Gibbs calls Suleiman's comments "unhelpful"
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Gibbs says Egypt should stop arresting and harassing journalists and activists
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Vice President Biden talks by phone with Suleiman
@placeholder met Sunday with some Egyptian opposition figures in preliminary talks that symbolized concession on both sides.