Thousands fill Tahrir Square to protest military rule

18:29 TENS of thousands of protesters in Cairo’s Tahrir Square are calling for Egypt’s military rulers step aside, and for a postponement of Monday’s parliamentary elections.

The protests have been fuelled by the deaths of more than 40 people since President Hosni Mubarak fell in February according to the BBC.

In the meantime, the nation’s newly appointed prime minister, Kamal Ganzouri, has appealed to protesters to give him a chance as he works on forming a new cabinet and the military council has promised to speed up the transition to civilian rule.

Many of the protesters fear the army wants to retain power, however, and are calling for the military to go before the elections.

Not all are in favour of the protests, however. The popular Muslim Brotherhood, which stands to do well in Monday’s elections are not supporting the Tahrir Square protests, and according to the BBC a large rival demonstration in favour of the elections is taking place near the interior ministry building, with people there chanting that they are the “real Egypt”.

Washington today called for the transition to democracy as soon as possible, saying: “The United States strongly believes that the new Egyptian government must be empowered with real authority immediately.”

Meanwhile, the grand imam of Cairo’s al-Azhar mosque, sent the protesters a rare message of support. His aide Hassan Shafie, appeared on local TV telling protestors in Tahrir Square: “The grand imam backs you and is praying for your victory.”

 

 

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