Egyptians turn out for more rival protests

Thousands turned out for rival protests in Cairo yesterday, exposing the widening rifts among Egyptians over the ruling military’s handling of transition from Hosni Mubarak’s rule.

Crowds gathered in Tahrir Square to denounce the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF), expressing their fury over footage of soldiers beating female protesters during deadly clashes that sparked international outrage.

Thousands more anti-military protesters turned out in the Mediterranean city of Alexandria and the canal city of Suez to demand that the ruling generals, who took power when a popular uprising ousted Mr Mubarak in February, immediately hand power to civilian rule.

Nearly two months of clashes between protesters and soldiers have left more than 60 people dead and overshadowed the first parliamentary elections since Mr Mubarak’s downfall.

The violence, particularly the beating of women, has piled pressure on the SCAF, as liberals and Islamists facing off in the polls condemned the milit-ary’s handling of protests. “Women are a red line!” some protesters shouted in Tahrir Square as others chanted against Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi, the head of the ruling SCAF and Mubarak’s long-time defence minister. Sheikh Hisham Attiya, the imam leading the Muslim noon prayers in the square, called for an independent panel to investigate the deaths and prosecute those responsible.

Protesters accusing the military of using Mubarak-era methods to stifle dissent have launched a campaign calling for presidential elections to be held on January 25, one year after the launch of protests that brought down the veteran strongman.

“The military council is an extension of the old regime; it has the same mentality and uses the same tactics,” said protester Mohammed Farrag, 31.

The SCAF denied ordering the use of force against protesters but has apologised to the women of Egypt for “any transgressions” after several shocking videos have surfaced showing brutality against protesters.