In Tahrir Square, it seems each person knows his job. Medics stand on the sides of the streets carrying cotton, face masks, and a white liquid they pour into the eyes - all are used to help protesters breath through the clouds of tear gas filling the air. Some people are on motorbikes, transferring those injured to the nearest doctor, after a field hospital set up by protesters was destroyed by troops and police.
Other people stand to one side, talking over their mobiles, either telling of what is happening in Tahrir, or trying to find out about protests elsewhere and political developments in the country. "This feels like January is back again," one protester was shouting over the phone, as he covered his mouth and nose with a mask soaked in vinegar to counter the tear gas affects. There is no much difference between the scene in Tahrir Square now and back in January during the popular uprising that forced president Hosny Mubarak out of power. The tents are set up in the square, which smells of tear gas, vinegar and onions.
The only tangible change for protesters that returned to the square is that Mubarak is gone and been replaced by Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi, the head of the ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces and the Defence Minister. "The people want to overthrow the Field Marshal," protesters are chanting.
A street vendor is shouting, "Because of Tantawi the traitor, I ended up selling tissue." Last February, the military council said they will transfer power within six months or after parliamentary and presidential elections. But with the parliamentary elections set to begin next week, the presidential vote is expected not before a year from now and will take place after a new constitution is written and approved by parliament.
Protesters and opposition groups frustrated with military rule are calling on the country's rulers to set a date for the presidential elections by April 2012. Others want the council to transfer power now to a civilians presidential council. After being hailed by protesters back in January for protecting them from police forces, nine months later, the military faces growing anger and mistrust for "using the same techniques as the old regime."
Amnesty International said Tuesday Egypt's military rulers have continued "the tradition of repressive rule" and were being responsible for a "catalogue of abuses" which in some cases exceed those committed by the previous regime of Mubarak. "The brutal and heavy-handed response to protests in the last few days bears all the hallmarks of the Mubarak era," the London-based group said. On Saturday morning, police used force to end a sit-in by the families of those killed or wounded during the 18 days of protest that overthrew Mubarak. Over the next four days, people poured into the square to rally against the military and the interior ministry, and clashes have left over two dozen killed and hundreds injured.
Following several meetings with the cabinet, the government presented its resignation for the council, and later called for a national dialogue with all political powers to solve the crisis. "We just have one demand right now, overthrowing the council," said Hany Youssef, one of the protesters.
"Just like Mubarak, the army takes a long time to react, by the time they reach a decision, dozens more will be killed and we keep getting back to square one," he added as he wiped his eyes from a gel used to protect it from the tear gas. With the military council and some political groups insisting to hold the parliamentary elections next week, protesters are heading back to Tahrir, carrying food, medicine and blankets, and getting ready for another stand-off that they expect may be long.
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