In his first public comments since being named, he said he would not name a new government before November 28 polls.

The protesters in central Cairo's Tahrir Square want the parliamentary elections postponed.

Not far away, a smaller counter-demonstration was held in support of the military and the elections.

The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (Scaf) is overseeing a transition to civilian rule.

Despite promises by the council to speed up the process, some protesters fear it intends to cling to power. They want military rule to end before parliamentary elections are held.

Yet many Egyptians want the polls to go ahead as planned. One influential group, the Muslim Brotherhood - which is expected to do well in the vote - is not supporting the Tahrir Square protests.

At least 10,000 people staged a rival rally on November 25 in Abbasiya Square - near the defence ministry, north of Tahrir Square - to show support for the military's electoral timetable.

In Cairo, hundreds of protesters camped outside the cabinet office, saying they would prevent Mr Ganzouri's team from entering.

The Tahrir Square protests, which were backed by some trade unions, had been called a "last chance Friday" rally to demand an immediate transfer of power by the military.

Many demonstrators have rejected Mr Ganzouri's appointment.