Political forces calling for a mass demonstration on Friday under the slogan of "For the Love of Egypt" declined Prime Minister Essam Sharaf’s request to postpone the demonstration so as to avoid possible clashes.
They also declined a suggestion that the demonstration be held in a place other than Tahrir Square, as they consider the square a symbol of the revolution.
The leftist Tagammu Party announced that it would take part in the demonstration, while liberal parties Wasat, Democratic Front and Free Egyptians, as well as the Muslim Brotherhood’s Freedom and Justice Party, declined to participate.
The Wafd Party has not yet decided whether it will take part, while the Free Front for Peaceful Change said it has suspended its participation in any demonstrations during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, which lasts until 29 August.
In Alexandria, 17 political parties and movements said they would participate in a demonstration to be held in Saad Zaghloul Square.
The Supreme Council of Sufi Orders, in press statements on Monday, said it would not participate in the demonstration and threatened to take legal action against the orders’ leaders if they took part. It also called on all political forces to stand by the military council.
Jama’a al-Islamiya said the demonstration would incite sectarian strife, and accused its organizers of receiving Iranian money for that purpose.
Translated from the Arabic Edition
