Hundreds of activists gathered in Tahrir Square yesterday to demonstrate against presidential candidate Ahmed Shafik, saying they did not want to be ruled by another former military man.
Some protesters backed Shafik's rival, Mohamed Mursi of the Muslim Brotherhood, which already controls parliament, but others were frustrated that in the forthcoming run-off vote, they face a choice between two of Egypt's most polarising politicians.
Activists have been angered by Shafik's links to Egypt's ousted leader Hosni Mubarak. Both men are former airforce commanders and Mubarak made Shafik prime minister shortly before being overthrown 16 months ago.
The June 16-17 election is the final step before the army, which took charge when Mubarak was driven out, formally hands over to a new president by July 1, marking the end of a transition marred by protests, political bickering and bloodshed.
The latest round of protests in Tahrir was triggered by the verdict in the trial of Mubarak on June 2, which added to suspicions the former president's old guard were still in charge. The court jailed Mubarak for life but acquitted six of his top security officials.
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