CAIRO - Thousands of people rallied outside Egypt's defence ministry calling for the military ruler's expulsion, a day before a civil disobedience campaign marking Hosni Mubarak's overthrow a year ago.
The military responded by saying it would not bow to threats or plots against the state, official television reported.
During the day, several groups of protesters converged near the ministry as the security forces blocked access with barbed wire and tanks.
Military music blared from behind the barrier, while the activists chanted slogans such as ''the people want the execution of the field marshal'' - Hussein Tantawi, head of the ruling military council since Mubarak's dumping.
The protesters plan a day of strikes and sit-ins to mark the anniversary today.
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