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Egypt: Thousands of protesters gather in Tahrir Square Egypt: Cairo's Tahrir Square fills with protesters
(about 3 hours later)
Thousands of Egyptian protesters have gathered in central Cairo to press for speedier reforms from the government.Thousands of Egyptian protesters have gathered in central Cairo to press for speedier reforms from the government.
Opposition activists have called for a million-person protest in Tahrir Square, the focus of February's uprising. They have taken over Tahrir Square - the focus of the 18-day uprising earlier in the year - with security forces maintaining a discreet presence.
They particularly want to see ousted President Hosni Mubarak and his officials put on trial more quickly. Many activists are angry at the slow pace of change since President Hosni Mubarak's fall on 11 February.
There were riots this week over a court decision to bail policemen accused of killing 17 people during the uprising. They particularly want to see Mr Mubarak and his officials put on trial more quickly.
People began arriving in Tahrir Square throughout the night to pitch their tents. They were even directing traffic in place of the police who had agreed to stay away to avoid confrontation. They also accuse the military government of failing to adequately try those accused of killing and injuring protesters during the January and February uprising, and want an end to military trials of civilian protesters.
Police and army officers were stationed in the side streets but were not present on the square itself. "Nothing has changed," one protester, Mohammed Abul Makarem, 18, said. "Change takes time, but there are reforms we can do now."
Egypt's powerful Muslim Brotherhood opposition movement said it would attend the protest. One opposition leader, Tarek al-Kholy went further, telling state TV: "We want the cleansing of all state institutions of former regime members, including the universities and judiciary. We want a reform of the interior ministry.
"The law is above everyone, and justice has to prevail on all people, young and old," the group's Mahmoud Ghzolan said. "Five months after the ouster of Mubarak, we have not achieved our goals".
Ministers acquitted Riots
Official figures show that at least 846 people died and 6,000 more were injured in the 18-day uprising during January and February. Protesters began arriving in Tahrir Square throughout the night to pitch their tents. A large sunshade was erected in the middle of the square to give some relief from the scorching heat of the Egyptian summer.
Civilian checkpoints were set up to prevent trouble-makers getting into the square. Protesters were helping to direct traffic as police and security forces kept to the side streets in a bid to avoid confrontation.
This is an expression of frustration with the slow pace of change.This is an expression of frustration with the slow pace of change.
The protesters say the same people are still running the country, in the same way, despite the ousting of President Mubarak.The protesters say the same people are still running the country, in the same way, despite the ousting of President Mubarak.
They want the former president and his inner circle rapidly to face trial, but they also want deeper and faster reforms to the way this country is run, and who runs it.They want the former president and his inner circle rapidly to face trial, but they also want deeper and faster reforms to the way this country is run, and who runs it.
Opposition leaders had called for a million people to turn out for the rally they had dubbed "Friday of Accountability", which followed Muslim prayers.
Even the powerful Muslim Brotherhood opposition movement said it would attend. "The law is above everyone, and justice has to prevail on all people, young and old," the group's Mahmoud Ghozlan said.
Official figures show that at least 846 people died and 6,000 more were injured during the 18 days of protests at the start of the year.
Since then, only one policeman has been convicted in more than a dozen court cases over the crackdown on protesters, the AP news agency reports. He was tried in absentia.Since then, only one policeman has been convicted in more than a dozen court cases over the crackdown on protesters, the AP news agency reports. He was tried in absentia.
On Tuesday, a Cairo court acquitted three ministers from the Mubarak regime who had been charged with squandering public funds.On Tuesday, a Cairo court acquitted three ministers from the Mubarak regime who had been charged with squandering public funds.
The decision, also this week, to release on bail seven policemen accused of killing 17 protesters sparked riots in both Cairo and Suez.The decision, also this week, to release on bail seven policemen accused of killing 17 protesters sparked riots in both Cairo and Suez.
Activists are concerned that the 83-year-old former president remains in a regular hospital, with no date yet set for a court appearance for either him, his sons or his senior officials.Activists are concerned that the 83-year-old former president remains in a regular hospital, with no date yet set for a court appearance for either him, his sons or his senior officials.
But, says the BBC's John Leyne, other Egyptians are opposed to the continuing protests and just want a return to normality, law and order and the revival of the economy. But, says the BBC's Jon Leyne, other Egyptians are opposed to the continuing protests and just want a return to normality, law and order and the revival of the economy.
Are you in Cairo? Are you planning to take part in Friday's protest? Send us your comments using the form below.Are you in Cairo? Are you planning to take part in Friday's protest? Send us your comments using the form below.
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7725 100 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7725 100 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
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