Egypt: Clashes in Nation On Eve of Uprising Anniversary

Photo: Xinhua/STR
Government supporters clash with protesters (file photo).

Cairo — Tensions ran high on Thursday, the eve of the second anniversary of the Egyptian revolution, as police clashed with protesters who tried to dismantle a wall of concrete blocks shutting off a street leading to Cairo's Tahrir Square, to ease the movement of demonstrators.

The clashes continued overnight, as police fired tear gas at demonstrators camping on the square. At least eight people were wounded, officials said.

Further mass protests are expected across the country on Friday, with large rallies in Cairo's Tahrir Square and outside the presidential palace.

The secular-leaning opposition called for mass street protests against President Mohamed Morsi and the Muslim Brotherhood from which he hails, using the same slogan that brought Egypt to its feet in 2011: "Bread, freedom, social justice."

Mr Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood party has not officially called for its own street rallies. It plans to mark the revolution by launching charitable and social initiatives.

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