Cairo, Egypt - Thousands of protesters massed in Cairo's iconic Tahrir Square on Friday to protest against the interim ruling military council in Egypt, PANA reported from here. Led by the Muslim Brotherhood, other Islamist groups and several political revolutionary forces in Egypt, the protesters chanted against the country's interim rulers, denouncing the latest government proposed supra-constitutional principles, which give the military sweeping powers.

The Tahrir gathering, which was the biggest in Egypt in recent months and the biggest against the military council since the 25 January revolution that ousted long-time ruler Hosni Mubarak, saw the absence of most liberal and leftist forces, despite the fact they too wanted to see the military's powers curbed in the post-revolution era in Egypt.

Islamist groups, including the Al-Jamaa Al-Islamiya and Salafis, were behind Friday's protest calls, since they believe they will be the best performers in the country's legislative elections, slated to start 28 Nov., wanting to see the democratically-elected people's representatives write the country's new constitution, without imposing any supra-constitutional principles.

Protesters, mainly Islamists, also gathered in Egypt's second city of Alexandria on Friday and several other governorates, calling for a change of policy by the interim ruling military council.

The protesters, who are still not decided on whether to conduct sit-ins, are also calling for an early transfer of power to a civilian administration and a democratically-elected president in Egypt.

The military council has set 28 November for the start of legislative elections in the country.

The Lower and Upper Houses are to convene in March 2012 to elect a panel to write a new constitution within six months, to be followed by a referendum.

Presidential elections, according to the military council, are to be held not later than 60 days after the referendum. 

The time-frame put forward by the military council will make Egypt remain without an elected President until roughly the end of 2012, or early 2013.

Revolutionary forces want an elected president by spring of 2012.

Pana 19/11/2011