CAIRO: Thousands of protesters gathered in Abbasiya Square on Friday in support of the ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) in what was dubbed the “Million Man March for Army Support” and “Million Man March of the Silent Majority.”
A Facebook page was created to publicize the event while only few movements announced their support including the Roxy Youth Coalition and the SCAF Support Movement.
Demonstrators chanted “Who loves Egypt should not destroy it,” “The people and the army are one hand,” and “The legitimacy is not with Tahrir protesters but with Abbasiya protesters.”
A stage was set up at the center of the square from which protesters voiced their chants and hung signs supporting the SCAF.
“I am here to announce my support to the army and police,” Mohamed Noaman, a pharmacist told Daily News Egypt. Noaman said that parliamentary elections, appointing a committee to outline the constitution and holding presidential elections by the end of June is the best way out of the current situation.
“I believe former prime minister Essam Sharaf has done a great job but it is time for a new government to continue the path for the coming few months,” Noaman added.
“Previously I was against all protests but after seeing what’s happening in Tahrir I decided to join today’s march for everyone to know that Tahrir Square does not represent the Egyptian population,” Ahmed Taher, a telecommunications engineer, said.
Taher said he is against an immediate transfer of power by the military council claiming that it will lead to dissent among the different sects and segments in the country.
“I respect Tahrir protesters as they are my brothers and sisters, however, Tahrir Square is not a place to avenge the martyrs,” Taher told DNE. “Political forces in Tahrir are using a noble cause to serve their personal hidden agendas to postpone the elections due to their weak positions,” he said.
Essam Helmy, a business administration professor, came to Abbasiya to call for stability and security. “The current environment of lack of law enforcement is highly suitable for thugs; if the status quo prevails for the next four months, all Egyptian firms will file for bankruptcy,” Helmy said.
