Egypt protesters gather for anti-military rally

CAIRO, Nov 18 (AFP): Hundreds of Islamist and secular protesters gathered in Cairo's Tahrir Square Friday for a mass rally to press the ruling military to hand power to a civilian government. As legislative elections draw near-the first polls since a popular uprising toppled president Hosni Mubarak-protesters are demanding more control over the constitution the new parliament is to draft. They want the withdrawal of a government document that proposes supra constitutional principles, which could see the ruling military's budget shielded from public scrutiny. While the Friday protest will group different political stripes under different banners, the unifying call is for the military to hand power to a civilian government as soon as possible. The protest is due to officially start after the noon Muslim prayers, but the early morning crowds point to a large turnout.