EGYPTIANS poured into Tahrir Square yesterday to mark a year since the uprising that toppled Hosni Mubarak, with the ruling military planning grandiose celebrations and activists vowing to reignite their unfinished revolution.

Thousands of liberals, leftists and ordinary citizens entered the square, the epicentre of protests that ousted Mubarak, waving flags and bearing banners reflecting the day's different messages.

The powerful Muslim Brotherhood, which dominates the newly elected parliament, is there to celebrate one year since Egyptians — inspired by an uprising in Tunisia — took to the streets to topple the regime. But other groups, including pro-democracy movements behind the revolt, insist they are there to reignite their unfinished revolution and demand the ouster of the military council that took over when Mubarak quit.

As protesters sang the national anthem and activists on podiums tested their microphones, a military band played in one corner of Tahrir.

But chants of "Down, down with military rule" drowned out the music, forcing the band to be shuttled away by bus.

"We will keep going to Tahrir to push for the goals of the revolution, no matter what," said Hala Rashad, a 46-year-old chef.

"The military council has done nothing. They are behaving just like the old regime. We have not received our rights and the country is a mess," she said.

AFP