Egypt to hold mass anti-junta protests

Egyptians are getting ready to take part in a “million-man” march in the capital Cairo to demand the end of the military rule following the recent killing of protesters by pro-military thugs. The Muslim Brotherhood has called on protesters to return to the landmark Liberation Square on Friday and demand the ruling military council step down. The mass protest comes after the Abbasieh massacre, in which 20 anti-junta protesters were killed and dozens of others were injured near the Defense Ministry building in Cairo. On Wednesday, assailants armed with rocks, clubs and firebombs attacked hundreds of protesters who had been camping out near the ministry for days, calling for an end to the military rule in the country. The protesters were mostly supporters of Hazem Abu Ismael, a presidential candidate from Islamic party who was barred from running in the country’s upcoming presidential election.

"Egyptians are getting ready to take part in a “million-man” march in the capital Cairo to demand the end of the military rule following the recent killing of protesters by pro-military thugs"Soldiers and police stopped the clashes nearly six hours after they began. They were accused of not intervening until after the deaths. The military council took power in the aftermath of the last February revolution in Egypt that overthrew Western-backed dictator Hosni Mubarak. Egypt's presidential election is scheduled to be held on May 23-24, and a run-off will follow on June 16-17, if necessary