Egypt’s Tahrir Square locked down as fresh protests against President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi break out

Scattered protests broke out on Friday in Egyptian cities against President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi as his supporters also took to the streets in counterdemonstrations a week after rare anti-Sisi rallies shook the country. Police blocked streets leading to Cairo’s Tahrir Square, the epicentre of the 2011 revolution that ousted long-time autocrat Hosni Mubarak, after calls by exiled businessman Mohamed Aly for a “million-man march”. Construction magnate Aly’s viral videos accusing Sisi and the military of corruption sparked shock protests against the president last weekend, with hundreds taking to streets across the country calling for Sisi’s ousting. But the security forces have since moved swiftly to snuff out further protests, arresting nearly 2,000 people in seven days, rights groups said. Elected president in 2014, a year after pushing predecessor Mohammed Mursi and his Muslim Brotherhood from power, Sisi is seen by many as one of the most authoritarian figures in the Middle East. After arriving home from the UN General Assembly in New York, Sisi on Friday insisted there was no cause for alarm. “There are no reasons for concern. Egypt is a strong country, thanks to Egyptians,” he told reporters. Despite the heavy security presence in the capital on Friday, hundreds took to the streets in Cairo’s Warraq island district, a witness said. Egypt’s president could rule until 2030 as voters say yes to more Sisi “About 3,000 people demonstrated after Friday prayers,” he said, adding that police used tear gas to break up the crowds. A video posted on social media showed chaotic scenes as people ran to avoid the noxious gas. In southern Egypt, small-scale protests were staged in Qus and Qena city, other witnesses said. “A hundred people went out in Qus and tore down banners bearing photos of Sisi,” one said, before security forces “took control of the situation”. Entrances were closed off to Tahrir Square, where surrounding cafes have been shuttered for the past week. Nearby streets were deserted except for police officers frisking passers-by. In Cairo’s Nasr City about 1,000 people turned out Friday afternoon in support of Sisi. Men and women waving Egyptian flags and photos of Sisi streamed through an area near the tomb of former president Anwar Sadat. Images broadcast on state TV showed the crowd chanting pro-Sisi songs. Apart from strengthening their presence on the streets, the security forces have also detained people they suspect of being key influencers of unrest – journalists, human rights activists and lawyers. Egyptian President Sisi confirms military cooperation with Israel UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet expressed “serious concerns about reports of lack of due process following widespread arrests linked to the protests in Egypt”. More than 2,000 people have been detained since last weekend’s protests, the UN said, quoting civil society groups, in what could be the biggest crackdown since 2013. “Under international law people have a right to protest peacefully,” Bachelet said in a statement. “They also have a right to express their opinions, including on social media. They should never be detained, let alone charged with serious offences, simply for exercising those rights.” The attorney general’s office said that “not more than 1,000 protesters” had been questioned by prosecutors. It said prosecutors had orders to “inspect the social media accounts and pages of those detained”. Analysts said they expected any further protests to meet a tough response as Sisi seeks to preserve his security credentials. “Sisi has made it clear he intends to stay in power for quite some time – and protests will not change that calculus for him,” said HA Hellyer, a senior fellow at the Royal United Services Institute in London. The president he added, “appears … convinced that any protests that go beyond a certain point would be destructive not only to his presidency, but the state more generally”. Egypt asks Interpol to trace ‘stolen’ bust sold at auction for US$6 million In August 2013, just over a month after Sisi toppled Morsi, police dispersed two camps full of supporters of Morsi in Cairo, killing about 800 people in clashes, according to official figures. The government named the Muslim Brotherhood a “terrorist organisation” later that year, but the crackdown on opposition has extended to secular organisations and human rights activists. While Aly’s videos have gained huge traction – shared millions of times online – they have provoked fervent online counter-attacks from the president’s backers, using the hashtags #longliveSisi and #theywantchaos. For those supporters, Sisi’s six years at the helm – including five as president – have shown him to be a bulwark against the insecurity and political disintegration unleashed by the Arab spring elsewhere.

Egypt’s Tahrir Square locked down as fresh protests against President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi break out

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;} Police block roads and president’s supporters take to streets in counterdemonstrations Rights groups say nearly 2,000 arrested after anti-Sisi rallies shook country last week

Police block roads and president’s supporters take to streets in counterdemonstrations

Rights groups say nearly 2,000 arrested after anti-Sisi rallies shook country last week