Dozens of people began making their way to central Cairo for a mass demonstration called to push Egypt's military rulers to set a clear timetable for handing power to an elected civilian authority DPA reported.
The demonstration, dubbed "Back to the Right Course" is also expected to call for the military trials of civilians to be halted. Unlike in the civilian courts, verdicts passed by military tribunals cannot be appealed.
Several groups of liberals and leftists have said they will join in the protest due to be held in Tahrir Square, focal point of a popular revolt that toppled former president Hosny Mubarak in February, leaving the military in charge of the country.
Meanwhile, Islamists, mainly the influential Muslim Brotherhood, have said they would boycott demonstration, the first in more than a month.
"Following the Friday prayer, a march will be staged from the square to the Interior Ministry and the Cabinet headquarters," said Mohamed Adel, the spokesman for the protest movement April 6.
Police and troops vacated the square on the eve of the planned gathering, in what was interpreted as a bid to avoid possible clashes with demonstrators.
The military council has support for "the right to peaceful demonstrations", but warned on Wednesday that it would not tolerate attacks on state institutions.