Obama sends special envoy Frank Wisner to Egypt

US President Barack Obama has dispatched Frank Wisner, former US ambassador to India and Egypt, to Cairo as the pro-democracy protest today gathered momentum, demanding the ouster of embattled Egyptian leader Hosni Mubarak.

"Frank Wisner is in Cairo. The US government asked him to go. As someone with deep experience in the region, he is meeting with Egyptian officials and providing his assessment," the state department said in a statement today.

Wisner's visit to Cairo comes as tens of thousands of Egyptians poured onto the streets today for an unprecedented rally seeking ouster of President Mubarak.

The powerful military has shown signs of distancing itself from the besieged leader, vowing that it would not fire on the protesters.