PJ Crowley, the spokesman for the US state department, has been talking to Al Jazeera about the recent protests in Egypt and Tunisia.

He says the US supports social reform and more freedoms in Egypt, yet at the same time supports the government of Hosni Mubarak, the president.

Crowley describes Egypt as "an ally and friend of the United States, an anchor of stability in the Middle East which is helping us pursue a comprehensive peace in the Middle East".

"We want to see change in Egypt, we want to see it done peacefully and stably."