Egypt Opposition Calls for 1 Million on Streets

CAIRO (AP) — A coalition of opposition groups called for a million people to take to Cairo's streets Tuesday to ratchet up pressure for President Hosni Mubarak to leave.

American and other world leaders are also ramping up pressure for an orderly transition to a democratic system.

The coalition of groups including the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood says it wants the march from Tahrir, or Liberation Square, to force Mubarak to step down by Friday.

The groups are also calling for a general strike Monday, although much of Cairo remains shut down, with government officers and private businesses closed.

Banks, schools and the stock market remained shut for the second working day. Long lines formed outside bakeries as people tried to replenish their stores of bread, the main source of sustenance for most Egyptians.

Barbed wire sealed off the main road to Tahrir Square, a central downtown plaza that demonstrators have occupied since Friday, turning it into the national focal point of calls for the ouster of Mubarak, whom they blame for widespread poverty, inflation and official indifference and brutality during his 30 years in power.

Thousands of people had gathered into Tahrir Square by early morning. Many slept sprawled on the grass or in colorful tents. Others were filtering into the square in the early morning.