CAIRO: Thousands of Egyptians flocked to Cairo's Tahrir Square and participated in the Eid prayer early Tuesday morning amid heavy security presence. The anti-Israel and anti-military chants seemed to unite the crowd following the prayer. Many families were present at the square with their children, waving the Egyptian flag. Islamic preacher Safwat Hegazi from the Muslim Brotherhood gave a short speech addressing the crowd about reform and the need for justice from Israel. The Israeli forces shot dead 5 Egyptians at the border between the two countries in mid-August, sparking public anger towards the Jewish state. Ongoing protests outside the Israeli embassy have been calling for cutting all ties with Israel and revoking the 1979 peace treaty. Israel said “it regrets” the incident but fell short of offering a formal apology. A few thousand remained in the square after the prayer was done chanting anti-Israeli and anti-SCAF slogans. The square wittinessd the presence of hundreds of riot police and military forces securing the central garden and preventing any one from stepping inside the area. Trafic started flowing shortly after the prayer forcing protesters to the edges of the square. Youth from the 6 of April movement and other political groups and parties joined the gathering, announcing they wished to dedicate the prayer to Egypt's martyrs. The crowd was chanting: “We refuse the military rule” and “we refuse the ill treatment of any Egyptian.” Anti-Israel chants included “we will teach them manners,” “we will show them anger.” Anti-ousted president Hosni Mubarak chants also were heard where the crowd chanted “the people want the killer executed.” Mubarak is currently on trial for ordering the killing of protesters following the January 25 uprising along with other corruption charges. The protesters also chanted “the people want Tahrir back.” A few marches circled the square, one chanting anti-SCAF slogans and the other anti-Israel. The military forces aided by riot police had forcibly dispersed the pro-reform sit-in that started on July 8 and arrested hundreds of activists and bystanders, most of whom were released shortly after. BM
