Egypt boosts security ahead of protests
2013-02-11 12:11
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Cairo - Egypt's security forces were on high alert Monday
ahead of pro-democracy protests to mark the second anniversary of former
president Hosni Mubarak's ouster, a police official told AFP.
Authorities have boosted security around the presidential
palace, the interior ministry and around Tahrir Square, as well as around key
public installations, the official said.
Marches are due to set off at 17:00 from several locations
in the capital towards Tahrir - the epicentre of protests that toppled Mubarak-
and the presidential palace where violent, sometimes deadly, protests have been
staged against Islamist President Mohammed Morsi.
"There will also be extra security around the main
metro stations after some groups threatened to block the tracks," the
official said.
Opposition parties and movements have called for a day of
action, demanding Morsi fulfill the goals of the revolution that brought him
and his long-banned movement, the Muslim Brotherhood, to power.
Two years ago, Egyptians poured into the streets to celebrate
Mubarak's ouster, buoyant that democratic change was possible.
The 84-year-old's spectacular fall from grace in a popular
revolt sent shock waves across the Middle East and beyond when he announced his
resignation on 11 February 2011 after an 18-day popular revolt.
But two years later, many are angry that the main goals of
the revolt - freedom and social justice - have not been achieved and that the
country is more polarised between Morsi's mainly Islamist supporters and a
wide-ranging opposition.
Among the key demands of Monday's protests are a new unity
government, amendments to a controversial Islamist-drafted constitution and the
sacking of the prosecutor general.
In recent months, Egypt has witnessed violence, insecurity
and price hikes, fuelling the political turmoil already plaguing the country.
- SAPA
