CAIRO: Thousands of Egyptians filled Tahrir Square to denounce the former head of intelligence Omar Suleiman's decision to join the presidential race. Muslim Brotherhood members and Salafists mobilized supporters to the square this morning in a call to “protect the revolution” from a perceived intention of Mubarak-era officials to dominate national politics once again. “[Omar] Suleiman is the face the old regime. His eligibility to run represents a return to the days of Mubarak,” says an Abu Ismail spokesperson. “Suleiman can only win in a fraudulent election. If he does, there is no doubt that we will return to the streets and reignite the revolution.”
While the parliament recently passed a law banning former Mubarak officials to run for office, the ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces has yet to approve of it. “We are not afraid to continue our battle. We have already lost over a thousand lives but we accept to pay more blood, for our martyrs, for our revolution,” a protester utters. An elder bystander recalls Suleiman's statement claiming that the Egyptian people are not ready for democracy. “How can he suddenly run for president? This is completely contradictive,” he says. Across the square banners and popular chants reverberated “We are together against the revenants of the old regime”, “The revolution enemies will not govern.” “Suleiman, over my dead body”, and “Down with the military regime.” “We want a person of the people, one that feels and understands our daily problems. The military and the revenants of the old regime are out of touch with the Egyptian people, they only seek to destroy our country,” expressed a Muslim Brotherhood supporter. Two stages were erected on the Square to rally support for the Muslim Brotherhood's presidential campaign and Salafist candidate Abu Ismael. Widespread banners depicted Suleiman as a “traitor” and an Israeli ally. Protesters held signs of martyrs killed by the police during past protests while calling for the presidential nominations of the fallen regime affiliates to be voided. Revolutionary youth movements who called for a mass demonstration next week were absent for today's rally to distance themselves from the Islamists movements.
