Tens of thousands of people took to the streets across Egypt on Friday to defend the uprising that toppled president Hosni Mubarak, directing their anger at the new military rulers over the slow pace of reform. In the capital, flag waving protesters packed Tahrir Square — the epicentre of protests that ousted Mubarak in February — after a mass weekly Muslim prayer service. In a sermon, Sheikh Mazhar Shahin called on protesters to “keep working to achieve the honourable goals of the revolution which are ‘change, freedom and social justice.'” He called for a “strong government able to fulfill the demands of the people who revolted for a dignified life.”
Tents were pitched in the middle of the square, and a large sun shade covered the centre, providing relief from the scorching sun and temperatures of 37 degrees Celsius. “Our revolution continues,” read one banner.
Holding a large sign, one man complained: “We haven’t felt any change. We removed Mubarak and got a field marshall.” He was referring to Hussein Tantawi, the head of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, which took power in February and has vowed to pave the way for a democratic system.
But the armed forces, hailed as heroes at the start of the uprising for not siding with Mubarak, have come under fire from local and international rights groups for alleged abuses.
