Egypt's mass demonstrations target new rulers

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, rows of worshippers sat in Tahriri square -- the epicentre of protests that ousted Mubarak in February-- to listen to the Muslim Friday sermon.

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 (about 99 Fahrenheit).

"Our revolution continues," read one banner on the side of the square.

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.

"The revolution has brought some freedom, but we need more," said Mohammed al-Sayed, 20, a student at Cairo University.

"Nothing has changed," said Mohammed Abul Makarem, 18. "Change takes time, but there are reforms we can do now."

Tarek al-Kholy, a leader of the April 6 protest movement that helped launch the January uprising, said the revolt's slogan "Change, Freedom, Social Justice" still applied today.

"We want the cleansing of all state institutions of former regime members, including the universities and the judiciary. We want a reform of the interior ministry" Kholy told state TV.

"Five months after the ouster of Mubarak, we have not achieved our goals," he said.

Thousands also turned out in the Mediterranean city of Alexandria and hundreds protested in the canal city of Suez.

The powerful Muslim Brotherhood, which at first dissociated itself from the rallies, announced at the last minute that it would be joining.

But the smaller Gamaa Islamiya said its members would stay away from the protests.

"The goal right now is to transfer power from the military to a civilian government. We do not support any act that will delay that process," Assem Abdel Maged told state TV.

Among the key demands at Friday's protests are the end to military trials of civilians, the sacking and trying of police officers accused of killing protesters, and the thorough and transparent trials of former regime officials.

Activists have repeatedly denounced the handling of legal proceedings against security forces who used violence in the uprising that toppled Mubarak, killing 846 civilians.

Pro-democracy activists say police officials responsible for repression before and during the revolt are still showing up for work.

Security forces on Friday were watching the rally from a distance, with police and army vehicles stationed in side streets, away from the view of protesters in the square, an AFP correspondent said.

Pro-democracy youth groups who called for the protest were in charge of security at the entrances to Tahrir, searching anyone heading into the square and demanding to see two forms of identity.

On Wednesday, the government urged those taking part in the demonstrations to "maintain the peaceful nature of the protest" warning against "plots aiming to incite chaos in order to tarnish the country's image."

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