Egyptian activists call for civil state

Egyptian activists from all political parties and groups have gathered in the capital’s Liberation Square to call for a civil state.

The gathering took place in Cairo late Friday when people had come together at the square to break their Ramadan fast and denounce the army’s violence against peaceful protesters, a Press TV correspondent reported on Saturday.

The demonstration was intended to demonstrate the unity among Egyptians, several months after a historic revolution led to the downfall of the country’s long-time ruler Hosni Mubarak.

“People are gathered today from all walks of life to celebrate their love for Egypt; they are celebrating their unity and showing solidarity by having the Iftar meal, breaking the fast of Ramadan, here in Tahrir [Liberation] Square,” said Lilian Wagdy, a citizen journalist.

It was the first protest gathering after military rulers suspended a sit-in demonstration on August 1 and the army once again resorted to violence to disperse protesters.

Demonstrators were angered at a visit to the Square by the head of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, Mohamed Hussein Tantawi, before the protests started.

“I don’t understand why Tantawi didn’t even bother himself to come and check on protesters that were on hunger strike. It is really a shame,” a protester said.

Protesters chanted slogans against Tantawi and demanded an immediate transition of power to a civilian government. Tantawi has been the interim leader of the country since Mubarak was ousted on February 11.