Egypt’s army ruler pays surprise visit to Tahrir Square

Egypt’s top general, Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawi, on ‎Sunday paid a surprise visit to Cairo’s Tahrir Square, walking alone without bodyguards or security, Egyptian newspaper Youm 7 reported.

Protesters have been camped out in the flashpoint square for more than three weeks demanding an immediate end to military rule.

The newspaper said Tantawi made the surprise visit to review the flow of traffic in the square, or to “ensure that traffic was running smoothly in the ‎square,” as Egypt’s Al Ahram newspaper reported.

Tahrir, a major road hub in central Cairo, had been closed to vehicles during the protest until this weekend.

Youm 7 said Tantawi arrived at Tahrir unescorted by security guards, an odd sight considering the wave of anti-military sentiment to hit the country in recent weeks.

In the wake of the protests, Tantawi announced that presidential elections would be set for June 2012, sooner than an army timetable previously envisaged. He also accepted the resignation of the old cabinet and appointed new prime minister, Kamal al-Ganzouri.

The first stage of parliamentary elections, which wrapped up last week, saw the liberal parties routed − Islamists won at least two thirds of the vote − but activists say they will remain the guardians of the “revolution” spirit.

This means ensuring the ruling generals do not renege on their promises to hand over full power in the long-term and keeping up pressure in the short-term for an end to military tribunals and other abuses.

The two main powers set to shape Egypt’s immediate future and its uncertain transition to democracy are the military and the Islamists, particularly the once-banned but hugely influential Muslim Brotherhood.

The Muslim Brotherhood’s Freedom and Justice Party has emerged as the leading civilian power broker in the country, with more than 36 percent of the vote for parties in the first round.

(Additional writing by Eman El-shenawi)