CAIRO: Egypt's military ruler said Thursday that the country is going through a critical period, particularly on the security and economic fronts, and called for unity to achieve a democratic state under civilian rule. Meanwhile, hundreds headed to Tahrir Square to watch an army air show at the invitation of the ruling council, but the turn out was quite low. Field Marshal Hussein Tantawy said in a televised speech Thursday — commemorating October 6 (Armed Forces Day) — disagreements and mistrust have plagued the period following the uprising that forced former president Hosni Mubarak to step down in February. Tantawy, who was Mubarak's defense minister for 20 years, has been widely criticized by protesters and political groups for his reluctance to institute wide-ranging changes in the wake of Mubarak's ouster. Some fear the military rulers will cling to power. Tantawy brushed aside the criticism, saying the generals are eager to hand over power. Hundreds of people responded to the ruling council's invitation to join the armed forces in celebrating October 6 in Tahrir Square, the iconic plaza that was the center of Egypt's 18-day uprising which toppled Mubarak in January and February. But on Twitter late Wednesday, many activists slammed the invitation — extended to Egyptians in statement 76 on the council's official Facebook page —pointing out the irony of supporting the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces in the same square peaceful protesters were attacked and forcibly evacuated several times by military forces. In Tahrir, most gathered in-front of the Mugamma' building, while the square remained open for traffic. An air show paraded above the iconic square, with onlookers cheering and applauding as army jets, helicopters and planes emanated white, blue and red smoke. "This is the first time SCAF shares its celebration with us in public squares, instead of limiting a number of officials to witness its air show live," Ann Abdel Rahman, 51, told Daily News Egypt. "The revolution did this," she added. The armed forces distributed mugs, caps and candy to passersby earlier in the day. The iconic square was dominated by families and children, many of whom visited the square for the first time to support the armed forces, describing the square as the "symbol of freedom." "We wanted to see how October 6 would be celebrated for the first time after the fall of Hosni Mubarak," Saied Osman, 30, told DNE while standing alongside his two children and wife. Others said they hadn't heard of SCAF's invitation but still decided to go to the square on the national holiday. "I just felt in my heart that I needed to be in Tahrir today," Hesham Abdel Hamid, 39, said while carrying his daughter Asmaa on his shoulders. Some criticized the performance of SCAF during the transitional period, while others supported it. "I'm calling on SCAF to release our revolutionaries who have been detained under military trials," Fatma Mohamed, 26, said. Rights groups say more then 12,000 civilians have been tried in military courts since the uprising. "Enough with the military rule, we want a civilian government," said Abdel Hamid. On the other hand, Mona, who only gave her first name, said SCAF needed to be more firm against Tahrir protesters, who she described as "controlling SCAF's decisions." "What about the people sitting at home…we have rights too," she said. While Zahraa El-Sayyed prayed for SCAF, saying, "May God be with them so they can implement the revolutionaries demands." Her husband quickly interrupted, "SCAF needs to hand over power to a civilian government." At one corner in the square, caricatures condemning Israeli violations were set up as a number of movements called for an end to the Camp David peace treaty with Israel. "The Oct. 6 victory showed us that we can defeat Israel," Sameh Zard, member of the coordinating committee of Kefaya opposition movement, said. "We want Egypt to be economically and politically independent," he added, "That can only be achieved if we end the peace treaty with Israel." Hesham Abdel Hamid with his daughter Asmaa in Tahrir. (Daily News Egypt photo/Heba Fahmy)
