Fresh anti-govt. rallies held in Cairo

Thousands of Egypt's anti-government demonstrators continue to hold their ground in Cairo's landmark Liberation Square, calling for the ouster of the ruling junta. Saturday's gathering comes one day after a million-man rally in Liberation Square -- the epicenter of the protest movement that overthrew Hosni Mubarak in February. The protesters also heckled senior army officers who tried to address them at the iconic square. Reports say General Tareq al-Mahdi, a senior member of the ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, ended his visit after protesters taunted him with anti-military chants. The developments come as tensions grow between political activists and the ruling military. The square is also where hundreds have been staging a sit-in for a week. Last week, thousands launched an open-ended strike in Cairo and other major cities across Egypt. The protesters say they refuse to leave until their demands are met. The demonstrators want an immediate end to the military rule and the appointment of a democratically elected government. They also seek the trial of ousted president Hosni Mubarak and members of his regime who are responsible for the killing of hundreds of demonstrators during the revolution. They are also calling on Field Marshal, and de facto president, Hussein Tantawi to step down. Following Mubarak's downfall, the military council has taken over in Egypt. Many Egyptians believe the council is trying to derail the uprising. The demonstrators call for an end to the military council's rule and demand that they go back to their barracks and hand over power to a civilian government. Mikati further argued that the security and stability in Lebanon is key in achieving peace in the Middle East. He also added that, the region would see the light of security if, the international agreements aimed at maintaining the Palestinian's rights were implemented.