EDIT (7:31pm): Full transcript is now here.

Obama gave a short, three-part speech around 6:40 EST, and took no questions.

1. Obama thanked the Egyptian military for not resorting to violence and urged it to continue.

2. Reiterated that the U.S. stands up for universal human rights, including assembly, speech, and freedom of information. He called information a “powerful force for change in the world” urging the regime to open up the internet.

3. He said he had spoken to Mubarak and communicated that change must begin now: “After speech I spoke directly to Mbubarak. He recognizes that the status quo is not sustainable and a change must take place. Indeed all of us who serve in politciali power do so at the will of our people.” He clarified that “Only Egyptians can do it. What is clear is that an orderly transition must be meaningful, must be peaceful, and must begin now. It must begin a broad spectrum of voices and opposition powers.”

4. And finally, Obama praised the protesters and Egypt, and offered America’s support and friendship: “Throughout this transition the U.S. will extend partnership and friendship to the Egyptian people. In the past few days the passion and dignity demonstrated by the people in Egypt has been an inspiration to people across the world and in the U.S.” He said, “To the people of Egypt and especially the young people of Egypt I want to be clear: we hear your voices.”

Obama closed with a metaphor about how the demonstrators who formed a ring around the Egyptian museum to protect its relics represented ”a human change connecting a great an ancient civilization to the promise of a new decade.”

The open question after the speech is, how much do we make of Obama’s demand that change start now?

Here are a few more money quotes from the speech, transcript forthcoming:

“The beginning of a new chapter in the history of a great country.”

“We have spoken out on behalf of the need for change.”

“Mubarak recognizes that the status quo is not sustainable.”

“It is not the role of any other country to determine Egypt’s leaders.”

“My belief that an orderly transition must be meaningful, it must be peaceful, and it must begin now.”

“We stand ready to provide any assistance necessary to help the Egyptian people.”

“Particularly to the young people of Egypt I want to be clear: We hear your voices.”