Washington (CNN) -- President Barack Obama warned Tuesday of "difficult days ahead" for Egypt and said the transition following President Hosni Mubarak's earlier announcement that he won't run for re-election in September must begin immediately. In a brief statement to reporters at the White House, Obama pledged continuing U.S. support for both a longtime ally and the aspirations of protesting Egyptians, whose eight days of growing demonstrations led to Mubarak's dramatic announcement on state television. "We've borne witness to the beginning of a new chapter in the history of a great country and a long-time partner of the United States," Obama said of the Mubarak statement less than three hours earlier.
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NEW: President Obama spoke to Egypt's president on Tuesday
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NEW: Obama warns of difficult days ahead for Egypt and pledges continued partnership
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Mubarak announces he won't run for re-election
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An envoy for Obama urged Mubarak to drop his re-election plans
Obama's statement avoided addressing the opposition demands, instead promising the demonstrators -- particularly young Egyptians looking to the United States for support and leadership -- that @placeholder supported their aspirations.