The United States is discussing with Egyptian officials a plan for President Hosni Mubarak to quit immediately and turn power over to a transitional government headed by Vice President Omar Suleiman, The New York Times reported Thursday.

The report, which cited Obama administration officials and Arab diplomats, said the plan was aimed at getting backing from the Egyptian military.

The report said that even though Mubarak has declined to step down, officials from both governments are holding talks about a plan in which Suleiman, backed by Egyptian armed forces, would immediately begin a process of constitutional reform.

The Times said the proposal calls for the transitional government to invite members from a broad range of opposition groups, including the banned Muslim Brotherhood, to start a process to hold free and fair elections in September.