Tens of thousands of demonstrators have gathered in Cairo's Tahrir Square demanding the end of military rule, following a week of deadly clashes.
Protesters are holding what they call "Last Chance Friday", while thousands attend a counter-rally in the Abassiya area, 3km east of the square.
Egypt's ruling military council has meanwhile tasked Kamal al-Ganzuri - a premier under ousted president Hosni Mubarak - to head a new cabinet.
"Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi has decided to appoint Dr Kamal al-Ganzuri the new prime minister, granting him full powers," state television said.
As talk of a Ganzouri appointment filtered through the crowds thronging Tahrir Square last night, discussion quickly focused on his age.
"Ganzouri is no good for this transitional period, which needs youth leaders not grandparents," said student Maha Abdullah.
"Appointing Ganzouri is a crisis for the revolution. We must remain in Tahrir," said protester Hossam Amer, a 44-year-old tourist guide.
Today's rally comes just three days before the first parliamentary elections since Mr Mubarak was toppled by a popular uprising in February and the military council took power.
The military council has said repeatedly that it does not have political ambitions and plans to hand power to an elected civilian authority after presidential elections, which are set to take place no later than the end of June 2012.
The US has called for a swift handover of power.
"We believe that the full transfer of power to a civilian government must take place in a just and inclusive manner that responds to the legitimate aspirations of the Egyptian people, as soon as possible," White House press secretary Jay Carney said in a statement.
"The United States strongly believes that the new Egyptian government must be empowered with real authority immediately," he added.
In an unprecedented move by a figure who is appointed by Egypt's presidents, the grand imam of Al-Azhar - Sunni Islam's highest authority - threw his weight behind the protesters.
"The grand imam (Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayyeb) backs you and is praying for your victory," senior aide Hassan Shafie told the protesters during a visit to the square.
Former UN nuclear watchdog chief and presidential hopeful Mohamed ElBaradei, whose name has been widely touted to be part of a salvation government, joined the protesters in the square.
On Tuesday, the military council accepted the resignation of the caretaker cabinet headed by the once-popular Essam Sharaf, whose fall from grace was due to his perceived weakness in the face of the army.
The latest wave of protests has led to the worst violence since the fall of Mubarak. More than 40 people have been killed.
