CAIRO - In the Egyptian capital's regime in February, tens of thousands of demonstrators are singing the same revolutionary tunes once again.
"Leave!" and "Freedom!" are still the mantras of demonstrators who have swamped the iconic central Cairo landmark since Friday to protest against the country's post-Mubarak military rulers.
But instead of chanting "The people want the fall of the regime," the crowds now shout "The people want the fall of the field marshal," in reference to Hussein Tantawi who heads the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF).
Mohammed Sami, 45, has baffled many protesters by waving a sign above his head that reads: "Mubarak, leave!" -- which he also brandished during the uprising earlier this year that ended Mubarak's 30-year reign.
"Why the same sign?" a bystander asked him.
"Did you feel there's been any change since he left?" replied Sami, a teacher, venting his disillusionment with Egypt's new military rulers.
Tantawi, who was Mubarak's defense minister for 20 years, and the military hierarchy stand accused by the protesters of holding on to power and pursuing the repressive system that prevailed during Mubarak rule.
"The government is killing our children," said Gamal Ibrahim, a lawyer, as he pointed to Mohammed Mahmud Street leading to the interior ministry where clashes continued on Tuesday.
According to the health ministry, at least 26 people have been killed since Saturday in Cairo, when the security forces first resorted to tear gas, rubber bullets and birdshot in an bid to subdue the protests.
Demonstrators have responded by throwing stones and petrol bombs at riot police.
Two other people died in protests in Alexandria and in the Suez Canal city of Ismailiya.
"We are here for our martyrs to bring down the regime which has not disappeared with the revolution and the ouster of Mubarak," said Ibrahim.
The violence has cast a long shadow over legislative elections due to begin on Monday.
"Even if the elections are held, we don't know any of the political parties, so for now we have to be in Tahrir to play our own political role," said Nada, a 25-year-old woman.
Tantawi said in a speech on Tuesday evening that the elections will be held on time and that presidential polls will take place before July 2012.
The protesters are standing their ground.
"On the medical front the situation has improved compared to yesterday (Monday), but on the political front our demands have not changed," said Ahmad el-Rubi, a doctor at a makeshift clinic, before Tantawi's speech.
Categories: