Egyptians across Egypt arranged protests in solidarity with the “Friday to Protect Democracy” demonstration in Tahrir Square. Protestors in Tahrir led by Islamists called on Egypt's ruling military council to hand over authority to an elected civilian authority and to cancel the proposed constitutional principles document drafted by Deputy Prime Minister Ali el-Selmy. In South Sinai, the Committee to Protect the Revolution announced its participation in demonstrations. They demanded the military council determine a timeline for the handover of authority to civilians, with April 2012 being the latest date for a transition. “Let the people be the rulers who have the final decision. The Egyptian people do not need a trustee to form constitutional principals,” said a statement released by the committee. “The great Egyptian people, who made the greatest revolution in the world and presented martyrs, do not need military rule and refuse extending the transitional phase. That phase included a state of insecurity and chaos and reminded people about former regime's poor control.” Many residents of Arish, the capital of North Sinai, arrived in Tahrir Square to demonstrate. They held slogans “From Arish to Tahrir, We are here for change,” “Yes to hand authority to civilians,” and “No to military rule.” The spokesman of al-Gamaa al-Islamiyya (the Islamic Group) in Minya said the Islamic group would arrange a march including the Islamic Trend and the Muslim Brotherhood after Friday prayers, in solidarity with Tahrir's million-man demonstration. They demanded the handover of authority to civilians and cancel the Selmy document. In Red Sea governorate, the Youth Revolution Coalition organized a march to announce their complete solidarity with the Nov. 18 demonstration in Tahrir. They reject allowing members of the dissolved National Democratic Party to participate in parliamentary elections. They also asked the military council to meet promises a transfer of power, hold presidential elections, and stop military trials for civilians. In Alexandria, about 10,000 citizens from different political parties and movements protested after Friday prayers in solidarity with Tahrir. They demanded the military council determine a time line in order to hand over authority to civilians, and refused the Selmy document. Arabic here Arabic here
