A string of attacks has killed nine members of Egypt’s security and military forces in an apparent retaliation by Islamic militants a day after more than 50 supporters of the ousted president were killed in clashes with police.

Tens of thousands massed in Cairo’s Tahrir Square and other Egyptian cities, marking a year after an uprising erupted that toppled Hosni Mubarak, spurred revolts across the region and exposed rifts in the Arab world’s most populous state.

The revolution against Mubarak did not have a figurehead; that was said to be key to its success. However, this strength has become a weakness in Egypt’s transition to democracy, writes Omar Ashour