Egyptian protesters issue 'last-chance' ultimatum to military junta

Tens of thousands of pro-democracy Egyptian protesters Friday issued a "last chance" ultimatum to the military generals to immediately cede power to civilians, as they rejected overtures like appointment of a new Premier and packed the iconic Tahrir Square for Friday prayers.

In an unprecedented move, the grand imam of Al-Azhar, Sunni Islam's highest authority backed the protesters, boosting the hands of the anti-regime demonstrators who have been camping at the square for the past one week.

"The grand imam (Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayyeb) backs you and is praying for your victory," Imam's aide told the protesters during a visit to the revolutionary square.

The latest protests follow days of clashes between the demonstrators and riot police that left at least 41 people dead and over 3,000 injured.

The imam at the Tahrir who led tens of thousands of worshippers in Friday prayers called on the ruling military to hand over power to a "national salvation government".

Sheikh Mazhar Shahin said protesters would remain in the Square until their demands are met.

The violence has been centered around Tahrir Square, the epicentre of the movement that led to Hosni Mubarak's ouster as President in February.

As protesters filled up the Square, organisers said that today's demonstration was "the last chance million-man protest," implying that the military rulers do not have much time to accede to their demands.

Earlier in the day, state media reported that 78-year-old Kamal Ganzouri, an economist who served as Egyptian Premier under Mubarak between 1996 and 1999, has been appointed the new Prime Minister, in an apparent concession to protesters' demands for a civilian government.

He agreed in principle to lead a national salvation government after meeting Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawi, head of the ruling military council.

Ganzouri, who had distanced himself from Mubarak's regime, has also been suggested as a possible Presidential candidate.

Egypt's military rulers yesterday expressed "deep apologies" for deaths of protesters in violence since Saturday and vowed to punish the culprits.

The unrest, which entered the seventh day today, came days before the country's first parliamentary elections --scheduled to open on Monday -- since Mubarak was ousted.

The military rulers say they will transfer power to civilians, but that the process should not be rushed to avoid chaos. They have pledged to hold Parliamentary elections on time, despite demands for their postponement.

Mamdouh Shahin, Major General of the military council, said that elections would continue as planned from Monday.

He also assured demonstrators that those responsible for killing or injuring protesters would be held accountable and that many detainees would be released as early as tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Tahrir remains to be center of objection to the SCAF and the hundreds of thousands there are calling on the Supreme Council for Armed Forces to hand over the country to a civilian government, while the thousands in Abbassiya are rallying in support of the Supreme Council of Armed Forces and calling for them to remain in power.

Abd-al-Jalil from Sohag in Upper Egypt travelled 550 kilometers to join the people in Tahrir.

"Tahrir is the focus, this is where I will be heard," he told with pride. Another enthusiastic man in the square was a baker called Mahmud from a slum area in Cairo. He came to the square to remind everyone that he Muslim Brotherhood sold them out when they decided not to join the protest.

"He who sold you out in the square will sell you out in parliament. Don't ever let the Muslim Brotherhood reach parliament. They are a genuine part of the older regime," He told anyone who cared to stop and listen.

Meanwhile, White House press secretary Jay Carney said, "We believe that the full transfer of power to a civilian government must take place in a just and inclusive manner that responds to the legitimate aspirations of the Egyptian people, as soon as possible."

"The United States strongly believes that the new Egyptian government must be empowered with real authority immediately," Carney said.

Another heated debate in the square is about the parliamentary elections slated for next Monday 28 November.

The Supreme Council for Armed Forces had held a press conference yesterday insisting the elections are going to go ahead as planned despite the current events in the country.

The majority of people in the square did not believe the elections are the solution with many even labeling it is sign for yet another blood spill.

"More blood has to run in order for the revolution to be complete," insisted Abd-al-Jalil.

Hoards of Egyptians are scared to make it to the polls next Monday out of fear of violence.

The only people ready to take such a risk are the Islamists who view the topic as some sort of Jihad.

In turn this will mean an Islamist parliament and Egyptians after a glorious revolution will find themselves between a rock and a hard spot, having to settle for either an Islamist parliament or a military rule.

Presidential hopefuls Abd-al-Moneim Aboul Fottouh, a long time defect from the Muslim Brotherhood, and Mouhammad al-Barad’i both made it to the Tahrir square today among cheering from their supporters.

Meanwhile the Supreme Council for Armed forces tasked 78-year-old Kamal al-Ganzuri with forming a new cabinet after accepting the resignation of Essam Sharaf.

The choice of Ganzuri was ridiculed by many as he was a prime minister under Mubarak about 20 years ago.

Mohamed ElBaradei, former UN nuclear watchdog chief and presidential hopeful, whose name has been widely touted to be part of a salvation government, joined the protesters in the square.

The Supreme Council of Armed Forces (SCAF) on Tuedsday accepted the resignation of the caretaker cabinet headed by the once-popular Essam Sharaf.