Cairo – Akram Ali
The headquarters of Egypt’s ruling government, the Muslim Brotherhood, is bracing itself for demonstrations organised by the country’s opposition parties.
The Independent Stream, a group representing more than 30 parties, announced on Wednesday that it will hold demonstrations outside the government building in the Mokattam area of Cairo on Friday.
The parties organised the rally under the banner “Regaining Dignity” in response to the treatment of journalists and photographers, many whom were attacked while covering protests outside the headquarters last week.
Five separate marches are expected take place later today, including a rally organised by the most prominent opposition party in Egypt, the National Salvation Front (NSF). The NSF is calling on the government to launch an investigation into the “harsh and unacceptable” treatment of protesters in recent months.
According to eyewitnesses at the scene, Muslim Brotherhood supporters have positioned themselves in front of the headquarters, awaiting the proposed marches. Concerns are mounting over possible violent clashes between the two groups, despite the Interior Ministry warning all political parties to conduct demonstrations “peacefully.”