Admiral Mike Mullen said in a television interview late Thursday that he was working to keep communication channels open with the Egyptian military -- a pivotal player in the crisis -- and expressed hope for an end to violent scenes on the streets.

"I mean in the discussions I've had with their military leadership, they've reassured me that they have no intent to fire on their own people," Mullen told the "Daily Show with Jon Stewart."

The Egyptian army had "taken steps to try to quell the violence," he said.

Mullen, who spoke by phone to his Egyptian counterpart on Wednesday, General Sami Enan, reiterated his praise for the armed forces, which US officials hope will play a constructive role in steering the country toward democratic reform.

"Their reputation is exceptionally high with the people. The military would say that's who they're supporting, the people of Egypt," he said.

Pitched street battles on Wednesday between supporters of President Hosni Mubarak and regime opponents left at least five people dead and 836 injured, as President Barack Obama's administration pressed for Mubarak to step down.

Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, also said he had been in discussions with other military leaders in the region, as popular unrest rippled across borders.

He said "they are concerned about where this goes and how contagious it is."

The four-star admiral said the American military stood ready for any "response or support" in the crisis.

His spokesman later clarified that Mullen was referring to military assistance for a possible large-scale evacuation of American nationals, if requested by the State Department.

"He was referring only to any response or support we might be called upon to support our State Department in terms of assistance with evacuations, etc.," spokesman Captain John Kirby said in an email.

Asked if the US military might intervene to protect Egyptian protesters, Mullen said: "I think the outcome there is really up to the Egyptian people and also their leadership, including the army."

He said Washington had a vital and longstanding military relationship with Cairo spanning decades, and that Egyptian officers had come to train and study in the United States "by the hundreds if not thousands."

"One of my chief goals right now is to make sure we keep the lines of communication open. I've talked to my counterpart a couple of times," since the crisis erupted, he said.

The United States urged the Egyptian government Thursday to begin transition talks "immediately" and was reportedly pushing for Mubarak to quit right away.

The New York Times reported that the US administration was discussing with Egyptian officials a plan for Mubarak to turn power over now to a transitional government headed by Vice President Omar Suleiman.

The report, which cited officials in Obama's administration and Arab diplomats, said the United States was seeking backing from the Egyptian military even though Mubarak himself was balking at the idea.

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