Friday, 28 November 2014

Egypt Vows to Confront Planned Brotherhood Protests

Egyptian authorities are bracing for potential violence on Friday following calls by Muslim Brotherhood group for nationwide protests against the government, with security forces vowing to crackdown on any unrest.

They have called on their followers to carry copies of the Muslim holy book, the Quran, during the protests.

Interior Ministry said it has prepared special security units to deal with such new kind of protests.

The ministry also announced that it broke up a “terrorist” cell associated with the Muslim Brotherhood that was planning to spread nationwide unrest on Friday. It said the group members were planning to disguise in military uniforms for conducting terror operations.

The call for nationwide rallies Friday is the first attempt in months to hold large protests in the face of an overwhelming crackdown. It remains uncertain whether they will succeed in pulling large numbers into the streets.

The country's army on Thursday took charge of protecting vital state installations following an order to this end last month by President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.

This comes as the cabinet approved on Wednesday a draft anti-terrorism law that would give the government blanket power to ban groups on charges ranging from harming national unity to disrupting public order.