Egyptian activists called for mass protests in Cairo on Friday, Feb 3, to demand the resignation of the ruling military council, target of raging anger over the deaths of 74 people in football-related violence.

Demonstrators were to stage marches from mosques across Cairo after noon prayers towards parliament, 28 pro-democracy groups said in a statement on the Internet.

The activists said demonstrators would demand the immediate resignation of military council, which took power when an uprising toppled veteran president Hosni Mubarak last year.

They accuse the military of mismanagement of the fragile transition, and blame it for the deadly violence on Wednesday in the northern city of Port Said at a football match.

The tragedy sparked protests in several cities overnight which deteriorated into violent clashes with police.

Medics said two protesters were shot dead in the canal city of Suez and more than 30 people were injured.

On Thursday, more than 600 were injured when thousands protested in Cairo, clashing with police as they tried to reach the interior ministry, which they say is responsible for not preventing the football violence.