Islamists lobbied for the establishment of Sharia law in Egypt as tens of thousands of demonstrators packed Cairo’s Tahrir Square on Friday demanding swift reform.

Several Islamist political groups arranged transportation for supporters to gain a voice in the formation of a new government. They were largely sidelined during the country’s revolution.

Egypt’s leading Islamist group, the Muslim Brotherhood, has said it hopes to attract coalition partners in order to achieve a majority in parliament.

But the leaders of top secular parties say they will try to form an alliance to challenge Islamists in the elections that will take place later this year.

In spite of political differences, some organizers are calling Friday’s protest a “unity” rally.

The various groups participating are stressing the demands that they do agree on, which include and end to military trials for civilians and the prosecution of officials from the government of former President Hosni Mubarak.

The huge rally has come a day after Egyptian officials announced that Mr. Mubarak will face trial next week on charges of corruption and ordering police to kill anti-government protesters.

They said the trial would be held in Cairo, ending weeks of speculation over the venue.

Egypt’s deputy justice minister said Mr. Mubarak, his two sons, former Interior Minister Habib al-Adly and six of his aides will be tried together starting on August 3.

The 83-year-old former president and al-Adly face possible death sentences if convicted of unleashing police on the demonstrators that drove them from office during an 18-day uprising in February. At least 840 people were killed during the revolution.

Mr. Mubarak also faces charges of stealing millions of dollars of state money. The ousted president’s sons, Gamal and Alaa, are also being tried for alleged financial corruption.

All 11 men will appear in a defendants’ cage in the Cairo hall, which has seats for hundreds of people. The trial will be open to the public under heavy security and carried on Egyptian state television.

Questions over Mr. Mubarak’s health had led some to believe the trial would be postponed or take place in the resort city of Sharm el Sheik, where he is being treated.

Egyptian medical officials say Mr. Mubarak is weak and is refusing solid food.

But Egypt’s health minister Thursday confirmed that Mr. Mubarak’s condition is stable and that he is well enough to be transferred from Sharm el Sheik to Cairo for the trial.

Source: voanews.com