A number of Egyptian political figures said yesterday's ‘Second Friday of Anger' demonstrations failed because of their Islamic tendencies. Others said the absence of the Muslim Brotherhood was the main reason for their failure, while still others said the demonstrations were a success and the absence of the Brotherhood had no affect on the demonstrations. Yesterday's demonstrations witnessed the absence of prominent figures such as Mohamed el-Baradei, judge Hisham Bastawisi, Abdel-Moneim Aboul-Fotouh, and Amr Moussa, who was participating in the G8 summit held in France. Both Hamdeen Sabbahi and Ayman Nour, however, participated in the protests. Ayman Nour, founder of al-Ghad Party and a presidential candidate, said the Muslim Brotherhood's absence did not affect the Friday that was meant to eradicate political corruption, especially as tens of thousands of Egyptians rallied in Tahrir Square to express their legal opinions and demands in order to complete the January 25 Revolution. Nour said the call was not for a million man march. Nour added that both al-Ghad Party and his presidential campaign participated in the protests because they believed in the demonstration's objectives of eradicating political corruption. “There isn't a political movement that can monopolize the Egyptian streets. The only decision makers are the Egyptians,” Nour said. Securing and protecting peaceful demonstrations is the main responsibility of the ruling authority and security forces especially in the current situation, said Mohamed el-Baradei. His remarks came in response to the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) decision not to secure the demonstrations on Friday. Members of el-Baradei's presidential campaign participated in the demonstrations without wearing their uniform, given the decision taken by the campaign to suspend its activities until there is stability in the country. Hamdeen Sabbahi and his electoral campaign participated in the demonstrations. Hossam Mones, coordinator of Sabahi's campaign, said Friday's demonstrations were a success. According to Mones, many citizens didn't participate because they feared thugs and not because of the Muslim Brotherhood's decision to boycott the demonstration. Magdy Sharabeia, a leader in the Unionist Party, said the absence of the Muslim Brotherhood did not affect the demonstration. He noted its success given the participation of more than half a million of Egyptians from different political movements. He said that many Muslim clerics participated to protect both mosques and churches. Khaled Talima, a member of the Youth Revolution Coalition, said the Second Friday of Anger succeeded. Talima refused to link the success of the demonstrations to the existence of the Muslims Brotherhood. He said the absence of the Muslim Brotherhood will not affect the revolution and that only the Egyptian people can decide the destiny of these demonstrations that refuse discrimination and call for the demands of the revolution to be met. General Sameh Seif al-Yazel said that Friday's demonstrations were not only affected by the boycott of Islamic movements but by the differences between different political movements. Some movements inside the Youth Revolution Coalition refused to criticize any actions taken by the military council.
