Protests planned to be held across Cairo and Egypt bring out the security forces as tension folds itself into the air
A tense air of sinister tension veils the Cairo sky as activists and police forces prepare for a day of clashes as Cairo's so called "Day of Anger," breaks.
Since Egypt bans demonstrations without prior permission, and as opposition groups say they have been denied such permits that effectively means that any protesters may be detained.
Interior Minister Habib El-Adli has issued orders to "arrest any persons expressing their views illegally."
Cairo security chief Ismail El-Shaer said the government had sent warnings to protest organisers that they would need an interior ministry permit: "In the absence of such permits, these demonstrations and sit-ins will be dealt with in a legal manner and those beyond the law will be arrested," he said.
There are at least four protests organized today around Cairo in Shubra, Mataria, in front of Cairo University and in the Gamat El Dowal Street in Mohandeseen.
Heavy security and police cars have cordoned off the expected meeting places of protesters around the capital. At least 50 armored vehicles and police dogs are blocking main roads in Cairo's Tahrir Square and Ramses, were pedestrians are also being stopped and questioned.
There are another six central police cars and 12 prisoner trucks in front of the High Court and another nine in front of the interior ministry. Parliament is also blocked by a heavy police presence. Mataria square, Shubra and Garden City are also closed by heavy security forces.
Riot police and state security cars are blocking Mustafa Mahmoud Street in Mohandeseen, as well as roads in Imbaba and the Corniche.
There are also protests organized across Egypt's governorates including Alexandria, Mansoura, Fayoum, Ismailia, Mansoura, El Fayoum, El Mahla El Kobra, Tanta and Sohag.
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