CAIRO, May 4 (UPI) -- The Egyptian military commander in charge of the government is no different than former President Hosni Mubarak, demonstrators said Friday.
Thousands of Egyptians descended on the Abassiya neighborhood of Cairo to protest clashes this week that left at least 15 people dead. Demonstrators chanted "Tantawi is Mubarak" and other anti-government slogans during a mass sit-in, reports Egyptian news service al-Ahram.
Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi controls the ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, which took control over Egypt after Mubarak was ousted during last year's revolution.
Amnesty International accused military officials of negligence for failing to respond to melees this week in Abassiya. SCAF officials said demonstrators were responsible for their own security because the military didn't want to get into clashes with the public.
Amnesty International said it was unclear who was responsible for the killings.
Tensions are high in Egypt as the country prepares for presidential elections this month. The Muslim Brotherhood had vowed to have demonstrations every Friday until military authorities handed power to civilian leaders.
SCAF officials said they welcomed the demonstrations so long as they were peaceful.
There are 13 candidates competing for president, including former Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa and Mohamed Morsi, the Muslim Brotherhood's candidate.
