Egyptians impatient for change

Egyptians gathered in Cairo's Tahrir Square yesterday, after a week of demonstrations, to tell the ruling generals they are failing to meet demands to reform the system.

Activists, some of whom have camped in the square for a week, sheltering under canopies from the scorching sun, were angered by the tone of an army statement this week that suggested protests were threatening public order.

However, the Muslim Brotherhood, Egypt's most organised group, said it was not participating and argued the authorities must have time to respond to demands first made at a mass rally last week.

The split partly reflects caution in the Brotherhood, banned under ousted President Hosni Mubarak, about riling the army under which it now has unprecedented freedom.

Analysts said it also indicates the gap between the Brotherhood's cautious approach and a new generation of activists, who are less well established but determined to keep up the pressure.

"The youth reject the language of threats used by the supreme council (for the armed forces], and reject that this is the way for dialogue," said Mohamed Adel of the April 6 movement, which called for a big turn-out at yesterday's demonstration.

Generals defended the use of military courts, saying they had not been used to stifle opinion but only against serious crimes. The army also said it would use all legal means to end the protest without resorting to violence.

However, there was no sign of any action to stop the protest in Cairo or in other cities.