Gates spoke to Field Marshal Mohammed Hussein Tantawi in "his fifth phone conversation with the Egyptian Defense Minister since the situation in Egypt began," press secretary Geoff Morrell said in a statement.Morrell said there were "no other details to provide."

On the 17th day of a popular uprising against his 30-year rule, Mubarak announced he was delegating presidential power to Vice President Omar Suleiman, but said he would remain nominally in charge until September.

The US government views Tantawi as a key player in any post-Mubarak administration.