CAIRO: Thousands of Egyptians flooded Tahrir Square this morning in protest against military rule and the disqualification of Islamist presidential candidates. Established opposition groups, including the Muslim Brotherhood, Salafists, Liberals and 6 April Youth Movement, assert unprecedented unity in a common demand to bring down the rule of the Supreme Council of Armed Forces (SCAF). “Every party has its own side interests but in the end we are all united with a common enemy and under one slogan: down with the SCAF!” said a spokesperson of 6 April Youth Movement. “I might be an affiliate of the Muslim Brotherhood but above anything, I am Egyptian and I came here as one. The SCAF knows we are a powerful force that cannot be reckoned with. They will leave, no matter how long it takes,” noted a female protester. Other common demands include the annulation of Article 28 of the Constitutional Declaration, which states the Presidential Elections Commission's decisions cannot be contested, ceasing the intrusion of the military council in drafting the constitution, and barring presidential eligibility from former regime remnants. The rally emanates as dominant Muslim Brotherhood and ultra-conservative Salafists were unexpectedly striped from their respective Presidential candidates Khairat Al Shater and Salah Abu Ismael, straining tensions even further in a turbulent race for Presidency. “There is a brutal war being waged against the Muslim Brotherhood and all Islamists in Egypt, seeking to exclude them from executive positions … and writing the Constitution, although the popular mood in Egypt is generally mostly Islamic,” claimed a joint statement by the Muslim Brotherhood and its Freedom and Justice Party upon the announcement of Shater's disqualification. Despite official claims of unity, the general atmosphere on Tahrir Square is telling of a growing divide in a nation enduring troubled democratic transition. The message of unity against military rule appears faintly diluted as the six different erected stages from diverse political spectrums are attracting partisan supporters. “Everybody is assuming leadership, this is just a show. But tomorrow they will leave and only the true revolutionaries will remain,” said Amgad Yehai, a 25 year-old Egyptian man camped out on the square. “We are here for our country and for Islam. We will stay here! We will not leave! You can call this the ‘renewal of the revolution!'” he added. “The SCAF does not want to move from its position. It doesn't want to hand power to the people. All the demands we fought for one year ago have been completely ignored. The Muslim Brotherhood sold the revolution, they made a deal with Suleiman, with the SCAF. They need to leave the revolution alone. No collaboration with the Muslim Brotherhood anymore!” said a revolutionary activist. Today's protest is speculated to be the largest anti-military rally since November 2011.
