Politics link: , , , CAIRO: Last week's violent clashes in Cairo's Abbaseya neighborhood have managed to achieve unity among Egypt's diverse political forces. This unity comes despite controversy among political powers over demonstrators scheduled for this Friday and over statement No. 69 from Egypt's ruling military council. Egypt's political powers have managed to outline seven main demands that will be raised in unity on Friday. Observers view statement No. 69, in which the military council accused the April 6 movement of treason, as the main reason for renewed unity among Egypt's political powers, particularly as the movement contributed to the success of the January 25 Revolution. Egypt's political forces have been divided over the continued strike in Tahrir Square, now iconic for its central role in Egypt's uprising earlier this year. They have also been divided over participation in Friday's demonstration. Yet the events in Abbaseya, in which 309 people were injured, and the military's statement have reunited Egyptians. Egypt's political powers have decided to participate in Friday's demonstrations together, despite the differences in their objectives. Many of Egypt's Islamic powers had refused to participate in Friday's demonstrations, instead demanding that those sitting-in at the square be removed. Recent events, however, have gained even their support. All of Egypt's political powers are united in their participation on Friday. Their demands include: 1. Providing the government of Prime Minister Essam Sharaf with full authority to take steps to remove remnants of the formerly ruling regime from positions of leadership; 2. Prosecuting former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and the figures of his regime; 3. Opening an investigation into the issue of snipers; 4. Determining a timetable for presidential and parliamentary elections; 5. Determining the authority of the military council; 6. Putting a date for the military to turn the country over to an elected civil authority. Egypt's liberal and Islamic powers issued a statement demanding the Egypt's ruling military council not issue laws and decisions individually. They also called on the council to pay the compensation owed to those injured during the revolution and the relatives of the martyrs. They also asked to suspend all military trials of civilians and to imprison the officers who were involved in the killing of peaceful demonstrators during Egypt's January 25 Revolution. Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood will participate in Friday's demonstrations to ensure the rights and sovereignty of the Egyptian people. Essam al-Erian, vice president of the Brotherhood-affiliated Freedom and Justice Party, said the Brotherhood's decision to participate is to confirm the demands of the revolution and to renew confidence in Egypt's ruling military council and its ability to prevent elements of the dissolved National Democratic Party from dominating the political scene in Egypt.
