Tens of thousands of angry Egyptians packed Cairo's main square on Friday, demanding a swifter pace of reform and justice.

Rallies were expected to start after Muslim noon prayers, but thousands arrived early and joined others camped out in Tahrir Square. Many chanted demands for an Islamic state.

The rallies come after Egyptian officials announced Thursday that ousted President Hosni Mubarak will next week face trial on charges of corruption and ordering police to kill anti-government protesters.

The trial will be held in Cairo's Convention Center, ending weeks of speculation over the venue.

Egypt's deputy justice minister said Mr. Mubarak, his two sons, former Interior Minister Habib al-Adly and six of his aides will be tried together starting on August 3.

The 83-year-old former president and al-Adly face possible death sentences if convicted of unleashing police on the demonstrators that drove them from office during an 18-day uprising in February. At least 840 people were killed during the revolution.

The ousted president's sons, Gamal and Alaa, will be tried for alleged financial corruption. Their father is also facing charges of stealing millions of dollars of state money.

All 11 men will appear in a defendants' cage in the Cairo hall, which has seats for hundreds of people. The trial will be open to the public under heavy security and carried on Egyptian state television.

Questions over Mr. Mubarak's health had led some to believe the trial would be postponed or take place in the resort city of Sharm el Sheik, where he is being treated.

Egyptian medical officials say Mr. Mubarak is weak and is refusing solid food. Rumors about his health have been rife. Critics suspect they are designed to prevent the former leader from standing trial.

But Egypt's health minister Thursday confirmed that Mr. Mubarak's condition is stable and that he is well enough to be transferred from Sharm el Sheik to Cairo for the trial.