Egyptian protesters As anti-government sit-ins continue across cities in Egypt this week, an adhoc group of more than a dozen influential revolutionary youth coalitions and political forces announced that they are calling for the immediate resignation of Sharaf and his entire cabinet.
Today, protestors gather despite the scorching hot weather. Sit-in sites in other cities, especially Alexandria and Suez, are witness to similar throngs coming in for the “Friday of Final Warning”, which promises to be massive indicated by the early outpouring of protesters. Among other things, they are demanding that ousted president Hosni Mubarak be transferred from the Sinai resort of Sharm El-Sheikh to Tora Prison near Cairo, as a prelude to putting him on public trial.
Anti-protest groups, for their part, are preparing a counter-demonstration in Roxi Square in the north Cairo district of Heliopolis. Some 10 km separate the demonstration and the counter demonstration, so there is little chance of a confrontation.
The Muslim Brotherhood, which after much hesitation had joined last Friday\'s protest, had announced its boycott of the Friday of Final Warning. However, as has been a common occurrence since the start of the Egyptian revolution on January 25, the youth of the group dissented and declared they would be joining. Two Salafist groups, the Arab Twahid Party, and the Peace and Development Party also announced they would be taking part, saying they cannot “leave the street” at this “crucial time” in which Egypt\'s future is being determined.
The Ministry of Health has declared a state of emergency, in readiness for expected sufferers from the intense heat, especially among the increasing number of protesters who have been on hunger strike. Earlier this morning, the Egyptian third army deployed large forces throughout Suez to protect the Suez Canal, banks, businesses and police stations in the city in anticipation of the ‘Final Warning’. Third Army troops are also ensuring that roads leading to the city are kept open. Protesters in Suez had blocked roads leading into the city earlier this week, and threatened to block navigation through the Suez Canal.
As soon as Friday prayers were over, chants begin against the ruling Supreme Military Council As of 13:00, tens of thousands are packed in Tahrir, considerably less than last Friday, however, but much more than during the past days. Two more stages are now set up near Kentucky, one for the Wafd Party and another for the Nasserist Party. Wafd members are handing out the party\'s daily newspaper for free. The chants are focusing on Mubarak, the general prosecutor and the ministry of interior.