Cairo's Tahrir Square was packed with people as thousands of Egyptians gathered on Friday in support of a law banning all ex-regime members from standing for president.

Protesters were seen holding banners saying "hand in hand we defend our revolution until we are through with them" and chanted "down with the military rule"

Egypt's parliament passed legislation on Thursday which banned top officials who served under former president Hosni Mubarak from running for presidency. The bill thus targets people such as Omar Suliman, Mubarak's former vice president, who had joined the race for presidency on last week.

Before being implemented this new measure needs to be approved by the military court.

Egyptian presidential elections will be held on 23 and 24 May 2012.

Photo courtesy of Sherine Tadros