Authorities beef up security in anticipation of protests in Cairo

Army troops and police on Friday beefed up deployment at the Egyptian capital main squares and around the defense ministry headquarters in anticipation of protests called by the Muslim Brotherhood organization. State-run Middle East News Agency (MENA) said the army stationed a large number of armored vehicles at roads leading to Rabaa Al-Adawiah and Tahreer plazas and other public key sites. The troops placed metal barricades and barbed wires at some road intersections leading to these points. MENA also indicated that motorists were barred from driving to Al-Tahreer square and Arab League road. The Muslim Brotherhood has called for demonstrations today to protest authorities' measures against its members. They have recently detained the group top leaders.