Waves of protesters are swarming Cairo's Tahrir Square, calling for an end to military rule.

Tens of thousands of angry Egyptians filed into the now-iconic square starting early Friday morning through noon prayers, joining in chants of “freedom, freedom.”

Some protesters had touted the so-called “million-man” rally as the “last chance” for the country's ruling military council to do the right thing and quit. But rather than turn power over to a civilian government, the council announced the selection of a new prime minister, Kamal Ganzouri.

Earlier, state newspaper Al Ahram said Ganzouri had agreed to lead a national salvation government following a meeting with the head of the ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces , Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi.

Mr. Ganzouri previously served as prime minister under ousted Egyptian leader Hosni Mubarak.

The move seemed to have little impact on the sentiments of protesters.

The French news agency said the imam leading noon prayers in Tahrir Square urged demonstrators to stay in the square until their demands were met. And some protesters say they have no intention of leaving.

In the meantime, the protesters are getting more vocal support from the United States.

The White House said Friday that Egypt's military rulers must speed up the country's transition to a civilian government.

Escalating violence between Egyptian civilians and security forces is now blamed for at least 35 deaths

The military council has insisted parliamentary elections go ahead as planned Monday, despite the violence.

After days of excusing the violent crackdown on demonstrators, the council reversed course Thursday and apologized for the deaths.