CAIRO: Over 100,000 Egyptians have descended on Cairo's Tahrir Square to protest against the country's military and what many activists are calling a “coup” after the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) took complete control of the country last week in a series of moves. The spirit in the square has “returned to the 18 days,” said Marwan Ibrahim, a young activist and member of the April 6 Youth Movement, who was protesting in Tahrir on Friday. He told Bikyamasr.com that he hopes “the military is scared of this show of all these people, because we are not done. The revolution continues.” The square became even more charged after the SCAF issued a statement shortly after the noon prayers, accusing the Muslim Brotherhood of attempting to foment fear and violence in the country. Thousands more, upon hearing what some argued was an almost “declaration of war” against protesters, came out and are continuing to chant against the military junta in Tahrir. In the military statement, it said the Muslim Brotherhood's premature announcement of the victory of their candidate Mohamed Morsi has caused political confusion and is to blame for the political instability in the country. “Prematurely announcing the results of the elections is the reason behind the political confusion we are going through," the statement accused of the FJP party, the political arm of the Muslim Brotherhood, in being behind the recent unrest in the country. The FJP and the group announced Morsi as the winner of the presidential election run-off held last weekend as early results appeared to give their candidate the victory. Military man and old regime loyalist Ahmed Shafiq, who is running against Morsi, has also claimed victory, doing so one day after the FJP announced their win. Shafiq was the jailed ousted president Hosni Mubarak's last prime minister. SCAF issued the statement Friday at noon as Cairo's Tahrir square was already receiving tens thousands of people to take part in the “Friday of Refusal of the Military Coup" where 15 political parties and groups called for a protest against the amendments that have expanded the council's power over the country. SCAF defended its decision, saying it was important to bring about. “The new declaration [and] amendments are a necessity that was brought by the running of the affairs of the country in this critical period," read the statement. The constitutional declaration strips the new president of being the commander-in-chief of the armed forces and he cannot declare war or lead the SCAF. He could, however ask them to intervene in controlling riots in the street. The declaration also empowers the council to amend any parts of the constitution, when it is written, that they object to, and announced that the constitution will be written before a new lower house of parliament is elected. Parliament was dissolved on June 14 by a high court ruling. Rights activists and anti-military protesters declared the moves a “military coup" and accused the council of shrinking the powers of the upcoming president in their favor. Politicians, public figures and activists came out in a strong united voice against the declaration and protests in Tahrir have been non-stop since the announcement. “SCAF is only driven by the high interest of the nation and doesn't work for personal gains," SCAF said, defending itself against great internal criticism. But the statement, like many of the council's, was tough worded and promised “vandalizers" a fierce response. “We will face any attempts to endanger private or public interests with great force through police and security forces," said the statement. The statement was poorly received by Egyptian activists who refused its strong anti-protester sentiments and predicted the military would use force against them in the coming days.
