Cairo - Thousands of Egyptians marched to the Defence Ministry on Friday to press demands for the generals to hand over power, a day before a strike called by activists to mark the first anniversary of President Hosni Mubarak's fall.

   Egypt remains in political turmoil a year after a military council took over from Mubarak, when popular demonstrations forced him to end his 30-year rule.

    The Muslim Brotherhood, while not involved in the protests has called for a coalition government to replace the military-appointed one criticised for its handling of soccer violence in Port Said in which at least 74 people were killed.

   "The people want the overthrow of the Marshal," activists chanted during the march in Cairo, referring to Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawi, who heads the army council.

   "We are here to tell Tantawi and the military council to hand over power. This is a peaceful march and it will stay so," activist Sara Kamel said. "Since the generals have come to power, they haven't done anything for Egypt and they want to continue Mubarak's legacy."

   Army units blocked access to the defence ministry, where the walls on one side of the complex had been repainted to hide graffiti plastered on by activists.

    "Congratulations on the new paint. Down with military rule," read one line sprayed across the wall.

   Egypt's religious authorities called on unions and youth groups to scrap plans for a wave of strikes aimed at forcing the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) from power, saying the people must show duty to the nation and spare its economy.