SEOUL, South Korea -- It was a comment not intended for public consumption, and another lesson for President Barack Obama on the importance of being careful about what you say around microphones, especially in an election year.

At the end of a 90-minute meeting between Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Monday, journalists rushed in to hear remarks from the leaders about the content of their talks.

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Journalists spied the two leaders leaning close together and talking in hushed tones.  According to those in the room, the conversation was difficult to hear but the videotape revealed Obama asking the Russian leader to wait until after the November election before pushing forward on the topic of a planned missile defense shield.

Photos: Obama and Medvedev talk nukes

"Pool" videotape provided more information about the conversation between the two leaders:

Obama: This is my last election…After my election I have more flexibility.

Medvedev: I understand. I will transmit this information to Vladimir. 

While most journalists didn't catch the rest, one Russian reporter managed to record the context with his equipment.

Obama: On all these issues, but particularly missile defense, this, this can be solved but it's important for him to give me space.

Medvedev: Yeah, I understand. I understand your message about space. Space for you...

Obama: This is my last election…After my election I have more flexibility.

Medvedev: I understand. I will transmit this information to Vladimir. 

The planned anti-ballistic shield system has been one of many sore spots between the two world powers in the last few years.

Obama says US can reduce nuclear stockpile

Moscow says it fears the system would weaken Russia by gaining the capability to shoot down the nuclear missiles it relies on as a deterrent. It wants a legally binding pledge from the United States that Russia's nuclear forces would not be targeted by the system.

White House Deputy National Security Adviser Ben Rhodes said the overheard comments were not a departure from the Administration's stated policy and responded to the exchange with the following statement:

“The United States is committed to implementing our missile defense system, which we’ve repeatedly said is not aimed at Russia. However, given the longstanding difference between the US and Russia on this issue, it will take time and technical work before we can try to reach an agreement. Since 2012 is an election year in both countries, with an election and leadership transition in Russia and an election in the United States, it is clearly not a year in which we are going to achieve a breakthrough. Therefore, President Obama and President Medvedev agreed that it was best to instruct our technical experts to do the work of better understanding our respective positions, providing space for continued discussions on missile defense cooperation going forward.”

Medvedev may have told Obama that he understands Obama's predicament, but the White House has been under increasing pressure on the issue.  Last week, the Russian leader gave a downbeat assessment of global security and international relations, saying the "Euro-Atlantic" security community he had hoped to create remained a "myth."

Medvedev, who will be succeeded by Vladimir Putin in May, said Moscow was unconvinced by the argument that the planned missile defense shield was intended as protection against a missile attack by countries such as Iran.

"We have time (for an agreement) but it is running out, and I think that it would be in our mutual benefit to reach mutually acceptable agreements," Medvedev told a security conference.

"The main thing is that we must hear one simple thing - hear it and receive confirmation: 'Respected friends from Russia, our missile defense is not aimed against Russian nuclear forces.' This must be affirmed, not in a friendly chat over a cup of tea or a glass of wine, but in a document."

NBC News' Alicia Jennings and Kristen Welker, and Reuters contributed to this report.

Full text and video of President Barack Obama's statement on the rebel advances in Libya:

August 22, 2011

Good afternoon, everybody. 

I just completed a call with my National Security Council on the situation in Libya, and earlier today I spoke to Prime Minister Cameron about the extraordinary events taking place there. The situation is still very fluid. There remains a degree of uncertainty, and there are still regime elements who pose a threat.

But this much is clear: The Gadhafi regime is coming to an end and the future of Libya is in the hands of its people.

In just six months, the 42-year reign of Moammar Gadhafi has unraveled.

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Earlier this year, we were inspired by the peaceful protests that broke out across Libya. This basic and joyful longing for human freedom echoed the voices that we had heard all across the region, from Tunis to Cairo.

In the face of these protests, the Gadhafi regime responded with brutal crackdowns, civilians were murdered in the streets, a campaign of violence was launched against the Libyan people, Gadhafi threatened to hunt peaceful protesters down like rats. As his forces advanced across the country, there existed the potential for wholesale massacres of innocent civilians. 

In the face of this aggression, the international community took action. The United States helped shape a U.N. Security Council resolution that mandated the protection of Libyan civilians. An unprecedented coalition was formed that included the United States, our NATO partners and Arab nations. And in March, the international community launched a military operation to save lives and stop Gadhafi's forces in their tracks. 

In the early days of this intervention, the United States provided the bulk of the firepower, and then our friends and allies stepped forward. The Transitional National Council established itself as a credible representative of the Libyan people. And the United States, together with our European allies and friends across the region, recognized the TNC as the legitimate governing authority in Libya. 

Gadhafi was cut off from arms and cash, and his forces were steadily degraded. 

From Benghazi to Misrata to the western mountains, the Libyan opposition courageously confronted the regime, and the tide turned in their favor. 

Over the last several days, the situation in Libya has reached a tipping point, as the opposition increased its coordination from east to west, took town after town, and the people of Tripoli rose up to claim their freedom.

For over four decades, the Libyan people had lived under the rule of a tyrant who denied them their most basic human rights. Now the celebrations that we've seen in the streets of Libya shows that the pursuit of human dignity is far stronger than any dictator.

I want to emphasize that this is not over yet. As the regime collapses, there's still fierce fighting in some areas, and we have reports of regime elements threatening to continue fighter.

Although it's clear that Gadhafi's rule is over, he still has the opportunity to reduce further bloodshed by explicitly relinquishing power to the people of Libya and calling for those forces that continue to fight to lay down their arms for the sake of Libya.

As we move forward from this pivotal phase, the opposition should continue to take important steps to bring about a transition that is peaceful, inclusive and just.

As the leadership of the TNC has made clear, the rights of all Libyans must be respected. 

True justice will not come from reprisals and violence. It will come from reconciliation and a Libya that allows its citizens to determine their own destiny. 

In that effort, the United States will be a friend and a partner. 

We will join with allies and partners to continue the work of safeguarding the people of Libya. As remaining regime elements menace parts of the country, I've directed my team to be in close contact with NATO, as well as the United Nations, to determine other steps that we can take.

To deal with the humanitarian impact, we're working to ensure that critical supplies reach those in need, particularly those who have been wounded. 

Secretary Clinton spoke today with her counterparts from leading nations of the coalition on all these matters. And I've directed Ambassador Susan Rice to request that the U.N. secretary general use next month's General Assembly to support this important transition. 

For many months, the TNC has been working with the international community to prepare for a post-Gadhafi Libya. As those efforts proceed, our diplomats will work with the TNC as they ensure that the institutions of the Libyan state are protected. 

And we will support them with the assets of the Gadhafi regime that were frozen earlier this year. 

Above all, we will call for an inclusive transition that leads to a democratic Libya. 

As we move forward, we should also recognize the extraordinary work that has already been done. 

To the American people, these events have particular resonance. Gadhafi's regime has murdered scores of American citizens in acts of terror in the past. Today we remember the lives of those who were taken in those acts of terror and stand in solidarity with their families. 

We also pay tribute to Admiral Sam Locklear and all of the men and women in uniform who have saved so many lives over the last several months, including our brave pilots. They've executed their mission with skill and extraordinary bravery, and all of this was done without putting a single U.S. troop on the ground. 

To our friends and allies, the Libyan intervention demonstrates what the international community can achieve when we stand together as one. Although the efforts in Libya are not yet over, NATO has once more proven that it is the most capable alliance in the world and that its strength comes from both its firepower and the power of our democratic ideals. 

And the Arab members of our coalition have stepped up and shown what can be achieved when we act together as equal partners. Their actions sent a powerful message about the unity of our effort and our support for the future of Libya.

Finally, the Libyan people, your courage and character have been unbreakable in the face of a tyrant. An ocean divides us, but we are joined in the basic human longing for freedom, for justice and for dignity.

Your revolution is your own, and your sacrifices have been extraordinary. Now the Libya that you deserve is within your reach. Going forward, we will stay in close coordination with the TNC to support that outcome.

I know there will be huge challenges ahead. The extraordinary events in Libya remind us that fear can give way to hope, and that the power of people striving for freedom can bring about a brighter day.

Thank you very much.

 

Updated at 3:46 p.m. ET: So far, the White House has continued to stop just short of calling on Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to step aside now, rather than hold on until elections in September.

President Barack Obama held to that line today, saying, as he and his aides have all week, that "there needs to be a  transition process that begins now" but that "this process will be worked out by Egyptians."

Obama made the comments during a news conference with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, which just ended.

Obama did, however, edge closer than he had previously to saying he would prefer that Mubarak step aside now. He said it was important that Mubarak had made the "psychological break" this week of deciding not to seek re-election, which opens the way for him to consider further steps to "make that transition effective and lasting and legitimate."

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"He is proud, but he is also a patriot," Obama said. "He needs to consult with those around him in his government," listen to the Egyptian people "and make a judgment about a pathway forward that is orderly but that is meaningful and serious."

"His term is up relatively shortly," the president noted. "The key question he should ask himself is how does he leave a meaningful legacy behind." 

Obama called Egypt "a great and ancient civilization" that is "going through a time of tumult." But he reassured the Egyptian people that "they will continue to have a strong friend in the United States of America."

He also noted widespread reports that Western journalists and aid workers were being targeted for attack and detention in Egypt, reiterating the position Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton laid out yesterday, saying: "Attacks on reporters are unacceptable. Attacks on human rights workers are unacceptable."

At the daily press briefing today, press secretary Robert Gibbs repeated that Mubarak must seek negotiations "with a broad base of those not currently in the government ... toward an orderly transition." 

Update 3:04 p.m. ET: Egyptian Vice President Omar Suleiman has urged all demonstrators to go home and observe the curfew, saying his dialogue with political forces depends on an end to street protests.

Update 11:33 a.m. ET: "The decision to crack down on the demonstrations has now been taken," says Hisham Melhem, Washington bureau chief for the Egyptian network Al Arabiya, who predicts in an interview on MSNBC TV that violence will continue through a massive anti-Mubarak protest expected after prayers Friday.

Pro-Mubarak demonstrators on camels and truck are charging into the crowd using whips and throwing molotov cocktails, witnesses report. The military is sticking to its promise not to interven with force, which has the effect today of letting pro-government crowds reign free.

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All indications are that several thousand supporters of President Hosni Mubarak are instigating today's clashes.

White House chief of staff William Daley told reporters that Washington had no warning of today's events, which came as a surprise after President Barack Obama's "cordial" phone call with Mubarak yesterday, NBC News' Andrea Mitchell reports.

Looking at the larger picture, Daley said that given the country's history, the next leader could likely come from the military, with which the United States has "extensive, continuing contacts."

"We would hope what came out of this crisis is a stronger democratic, secular nation," he said, but the bottom line is that the people will control the outcome.

Update 6:57 p.m. ET: President Barack Obama said in a brief address this evening that he has told Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak that an orderly and peaceful transition "must begin now." 

The transition must include opposition parties, Obama insisted in remarks that came a few hours after Mubarak said he intended to stay in office through the end of his term in September.

Update 6:48 p.m. ET: The brief address is over. "There will be difficult days ahead," Obama says. "Questions about Egypt's future remain unanswered."

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Update 6:45 p.m. ET: Obama confirms he spoke with Mubarak and says Mubarak "recognizes that the status quo" is unsustainable and says he told him an orderly transition "must begin now."

Update 6:45 p.m. ET: Obama praises the Egyptian military for not responding with violence.

Update 6:44 p.m. ET: President Obama is speaking now.

Update 6:19 p.m. ET: The White House pool now says timing on President Obama's speech is slipping. There is no ETA as yet.

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President Barack Obama will make an address on Egypt at 6:20 p.m. ET, the White House says. We'll have live video and running coverage on this post. The address comes after Obama and Mubarak spoke today for about a half-hour, NBC News' Savannah Guthrie reports.