CAIRO: Protests across the country coincided with Tahrir Square’s million-man march dubbed “Last Chance Friday,” calling for the end of military rule.
In Alexandria, tens of thousands protested in front of the Northern Military Base condemning violence by police forces and chanting against military rule, while tens of protesters staged a sit-in in Victor Amanueal Square, meters away from Alexandria Security Directorate where violent clashes took place days ago.
The protesters in the sit-in distributed a statement with their solution to end the ongoing crisis, calling for a presidential council consisted of three judges and a representative from the military council to run the country until the presidential elections.
In the northern city of Mahalla, clashes between security forces and protesters continued for the fourth day.
"We were peacefully protesting in front of the police station when a group of unidentified bearded men used electric rods to disperse the protest," said member of Revolutionary Youth Coalition Mohamed Ibrahim.
"There were no clashes whatsoever with the security, but as soon as those men attacked the protest and disappeared, clashes between some protesters and police forces started," he added.
Ibrahim confirmed that the peaceful protests organized by the April 6 Youth Movement and the Revolutionary Youth Coalition decided to congregate in El-Sa’aa Square, hundreds of meters away from the police station in order not to get involved in the clashes.
"There is no relationship between us and those who attack the police station, whom we believe are infiltrated by a lot of police informants who ignite the clashes," he added.
Other protesters in Mansoura, Qena, Sohag, Assiut, Aswan, Suez, Ismailia rallied in thousands against the military council and calling for transition to civilian rule.
Meanwhile, Reporters without Borders (RSF) released a statement condemning harassment by security forces against journalists.
RSF called for a stop of deliberate threats against journalists, as many of them, including renowned columnist Mona Eltahawy, were arrested, sexually harassed, and others, like photographer Ahmed Fattah, who was shot in the eye.
