Arab League chief sits in Tahrir Square

CAIRO, Jan. 25 (UPI) -- Demonstrators gathered in Cairo's Tahrir Square are called on to push for more reforms in the spirit of the revolution, the Arab League chief said.

Thousands of protesters flocked to Cairo to mark the first anniversary of the country's revolution. Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak was ousted from power following a peaceful uprising against his regime, ending his 30-year rule over Egypt.

Arab-League Secretary General Nabil al-Arabi joined demonstrators celebrating the anniversary, urging those at the square to assemble peacefully, the Egyptian Independent news agency reports.

Arabi added that Egyptians are called on to honor the spirit of the revolution and press for freedom and basic liberties.

Egyptians voted in a largely Islamic government in the first round of elections since the revolution, handing the Muslim Brotherhood's Freedom and Justice Party control of the Egyptian Parliament.

Egyptians have expressed frustration with the ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, the military regime that took control after Mubarak's departure. SCAF announced it was partially lifting a long-standing state of emergency starting Wednesday.

"We are seeking some clarification from the Egyptian government what they mean by that," said a spokeswoman for the U.S. State Department. "But the fact that they are finally, after these many, many months of demands, taking the major step is very important for Egypt and for its future."