CAIRO – Crowds of protesters have taken to Tahrir Square since Tuesday morning in preparation for a massive demonstration to demand the military hand over power to civilians. Thousands spent the night in the square in central Cairo, which has been the focal point of protests since the uprising that ousted Hosni Mubarak in February.
A number of political groups called for a mass protest on Tuesday in Tahrir and other venues to urge the ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) to hand over power to a national salvation government.
Meanwhile, clashes between protesters and security entered their fourth day, with security forces stationed at streets leading to the Interior Ministry. The encounters started on Saturday when police forces forcibly evacuated a sit-in by people injured in the 25 January revolution. Protesters have been attacked with tear gas, shotgun pellets and live ammunition, which has led to at least 24 deaths, according to the Health Ministry.
While several major political groups announced their participation in Tuesday’s demonstration, the Muslim Brotherhood, Egypt’s largest opposition group, said in a statement by its political arm, the Freedom and Justice Party, that it will not take part in any future protests to avoid provoking more tension.
Read the full story in Al-Masry Al-Youm
photo – lilianwadgy