Thousands rally against ruling military in Egypt’s Tahrir
Waving the national flag, thousands of Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood and Salafist movement supporters take part in a demonstration in the capital’s landmark Tahrir Square in Cairo on April 13, 2012 under the slogan ‘protect the revolution,’ demanding that former regime members be barred from public office.
Egypt's Tahrir Square is once again a nexus of protest, with thousands of Egyptians today protesting there against the country's ruling military authorities, reported CNN.
The massive rally, reminiscent of historic demonstrations that led to the ousting of longtime Egyptian leader Hosni Mubarak last year, saw various political factions represented, said the BBC.
The event comes just a month ahead of the country's anticipated presidential elections, the subject of increasing controversy in Egypt following the banning of ten would-be candidates last weekend, according the Bloomberg.
Among those barred from running in Egypt's May 23 and 24 election is the Muslim Brotherhood's Khairat el-Shater. The group, which holds a majority in parliament, has since called for protests against the Supreme Presidential Electoral Commission's decision.
More from GlobalPost: Egypt election committee rejects appeals of 3 candidates to return to race
The commission disqualified the candidates over "legal irregularities," reported CNN.
But many gathered in Tahrir today were there to protest the country's transitional ruling authorities — the military — whom they accuse of trying to illegally retain power, said the BBC.
"In Syria, the people are besieged by Bashar Assad and here we are besieged by Egypt's military rulers," one demonstrator told the BBC.
Politicians are set to hold talks with army council head Mohamed Hussein Tantawi on Sunday over the creation of a new constitution after the committee tasked with the draft was disbanded due to political infighting, according to Bloomberg.
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