The head of Egypt's ruling military council said Saturday that the government is committed to democracy, while protesters seeking reforms continue their vigil in Cairo's Tahrir Square.

Field Marshall Mohammed Hussein Tantawi said the interim government is moving forward with its efforts to build a democratic state that upholds the rights and freedoms of citizens through free and fair elections.

He made the comments in a recorded speech marking the anniversary of a 1952 military coup.

Meanwhile, activists who say they have not been satisfied with the pace of reforms since former President Hosni Mubarak's resignation are camping out in Tahrir Square. Some erected tents in the square two weeks ago and said they will stay put until their demands are met.

On Friday, protesters rallied in the square and in cities including Alexandria, where witnesses say the military fired shots into the air to disperse demonstrators.

Some protesters said this week's Cabinet reshuffle stopped short of meeting their demands.

On Thursday, the government swore in a new Cabinet, in which about half of the ministers are new. But some activists wanted Prime Minister Essam Sharaf to replace the key interior and justice ministers, both of whom kept their posts.

Demonstrators have urged military rulers to purge all Mubarak-era officials from the government and prosecute those linked to violence and corruption.