Government forces are on alert as a huge rally in Tahrir Square in Cairo is expected after Friday prayers. Demonstrators are demanding that parliamentary elections, scheduled for Monday, should be postponed, while other factions are anxious for them to go ahead as planned. Either way barricades have been set up and security forces are expected to be on hand.
The protests are directed against the slow progress in setting up a freely elected civilian government after the ousting of President Mubarak in the Spring. Ex Prime Minister Kamal Ganzouri has been appointed to form a new interim government but there is huge concern among the demonstrators that the military will not give up their control. The new spate of rallies is widely seen as Egypt's 'last chance' to finally break from the old regime and welcome the new democracy and freedom that has been promised.