Tight security marks first day of Eid in Cairo

MENA, Tuesday 15 Oct 2013

Egyptian security forces close major squares in Greater Cairo to prevent protests by Morsi supporters

Tahrir
Egyptian soldiers take their positions near armored vehicles to guard the entrances of Tahrir Square in Cairo on July 8 (Photo: AP)

Security forces have closed off a number of major squares in Cairo to preempt protests by supporters of deposed president Mohamed Morsi, state news agency MENA reported.

The squares closed include Tahrir Square, the birthplace of the January 2011 revolution, as well as Giza's Nahda Square and Cairo's Rabaa Al-Adawiya, where police violently dispersed pro-Morsi vigils two months ago, killing hundreds.

Pro-Morsi protesters staged small protests after Eid Al-Adha prayers on Tuesday morning, chanting against army chief and Defence Minister Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi and denouncing what they described as military coup.

Meanwhile, interim President Adly Mansour, Prime Minister Hazem El-Beblawi and El-Sisi led Eid prayers at Cairo's Armed Forces Leadership Mosque.

On Monday, a security official, speaking to MENA, justified the interior ministry's Eid mobilisation plan.

"The interior ministry will deal firmly and decisively - within the law - with any attempts to terrorise, threaten or spoil the [Eid] celebrations in any way," he said.

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