State television: nearly 2,000 flood square

Cairo\'s landmark Tahrir Square was the epicentre of protests that toppled president Mubarak Protesters converged on Cairo\'s Tahrir Square on Friday to join camping pro-democracy activists ahead of a demonstration planned after Muslim noon prayers to push for reforms. State television said that on Friday morning nearly 2,000 people were in the square, the epicentre of protests that toppled president Hosni Mubarak in February.
Bloody clashes erupted in central Cairo on Tuesday evening between protesters and security forces that injured more than 1,000 people, prompting calls for an open-ended sit-in until the demands of the revolution are met.
The violence, which raged into Wednesday morning, signalled the mounting frustration with the military rulers over the pace of reform.
Among the key demands are the trial of officials and police officers in abuse cases before and after the January 25 revolt, an end to military trials of civilians, an inclusive political process and freedom of expression and media.
The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, which took power when Mubarak was ousted, has vowed to bring to justice those found guilty of abuse or corruption, ordering the trial of several old regime figures, including Mubarak.
The former leader is currently in custody in a hospital in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh and is to face trial, along with his two sons Alaa and Gamal, on August 3 on charges of killing protesters and fraud.
But many activists have criticised the fast pace of the trials, demanding a credible and thorough process for the sake of justice, not revenge.
Protesters who first took to the streets to demand the overthrow of Mubarak, began shifting their anger towards the ruling military council, accusing it of using Mubarak-era tactics to stifle dissent.