Egyptian pro-democracy campaigners called for a new uprising on Sunday, saying justice was not served by the trial of Hosni Mubarak and others blamed for the killing of protesters during the street revolt that ended his three-decade rule.
In the first judicial reckoning of a leader toppled in last year's Arab spring uprisings, Mubarak was handed a life prison sentence. His sons were found innocent of corruption charges and senior policemen were acquitted.
Thousands took to the streets for protests that went on through the night in Cairo's Tahrir Square and in other cities, adding to political tension building since Mubarak's last prime minister made it through to a presidential election run-off.
Many took the verdicts as proof the Mubarak clan still holds sway as Egypt prepares for the vote on June 16 and 17, billed as the final stage of an army-led transition to democracy.
"This was not a fair verdict and there is mass rejection of the judge's ruling," said one protester, Amr Magdy. "Tahrir will fill up again with protesters. In Egypt the only way you can get any justice is by protesting because all the institutions are still controlled by Mubarak figures."
The general prosecutor lodged an appeal on Sunday against the acquittal of six senior police officials charged with killing protesters, and banned them from travelling, the prosecutor's assistant said.
Young liberal and left-wing revolutionaries who led last year's uprising were dismayed when their own candidates lost the first round of the presidential election last month.
The run-off will pit former prime minister Ahmed Shafiq, who holds Mubarak as a role model, against the candidate of the socially conservative Muslim Brotherhood, Mohamed Mursi.
Shafiq has taken a tough stance on law and order, appealing to many Egyptians tired of protests, political chaos and insecurity that have damaged the economy. Critics say he also has the backing of the powerful army.
"The judiciary issued its ruling based on the documents it had and we must accept it," said lawyer Mohamed Abdel A'al, who opposes more street protests. "Why do they want to suspend the election? Do they want further turmoil?"
Suspicion is widespread that the military, led by Mubarak's old defence minister, will still wield heavy influence whoever becomes the next president. Egypt has been led by army officers since 1952. Shafiq is a former air force commander.
About 1,000 protesters were gathered on Sunday in Tahrir Square - focal point of the January 2011 revolt that brought down Mubarak - vowing to stay until there was justice for those killed in the uprising.
CLOSED-DOOR MEETING
Dozens of young men ransacked Shafiq's campaign office in Fayoum south of Cairo overnight, the second such attack in recent days, state news website al-Ahram reported. Shafiq campaigners in Cairo confirmed the attack.
"Do they think that by burning Shafiq's headquarters, they will burn Shafiq? Forget it," Shafiq told reporters on Sunday, warning that a vote for Mursi is a vote for the unknown.
"The Brotherhood represents the darkness and secrets and nobody knows who they are and what they do... I represent Egypt, all of Egypt," he said.
Mursi, who has been struggling to rally the support of candidates defeated in the first round, met leftist Hamdeen Sabahy and another defeated candidate, Islamist Abdel Moneim Abol Fotouh, on Saturday night behind closed doors, according to people who attended the gathering.
Sabahy and Abol Fotouh, who was ejected from the Brotherhood last year and has campaigned on a more moderate political platform, came third and fourth in the May 23-24 vote and have refused to throw their weight behind Mursi.
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