Security forces fired teargas at supporters of ousted president Mohamed Morsi on Friday in an attempt to disperse their march in Khatem Al-Morsaleem Street in Giza's Al-Omraneya district. Nearby Al-Soueify Street also witnesses clashes between police and protesters who started marching following Friday afternoon prayers. According to state-owned news agency MENA, there has been a heavy security presence in Giza all day in anticipation of protests called for by the Muslim Brotherhood-led National Alliance to Support Legitimacy. Attempts to disperse pro-Morsi demos also took place in Cairo's Nasr City and Shubra districts. Disputes over next week's constitutional referendum had led to clashes earlier on Friday when hundreds of Muslim Brotherhood supporters clashes with those opposing the group in the Cairo districts of Matariya and Mostarad, after Morsi loyalists tore down posters supporting the yes vote campaign. Clashes also broke out in Al-Sabah city in the Suez governorate, where security forces fired teargas at a pro-Morsi march. Protesters reportedly responded by firing birdshot and fireworks, according to MENA. Morsi supporters have been holding almost daily protests since his ouster in July. The numbers of protesters have drastically decreased amid a major security crackdown on members, leaders and sympathisers of the Islamist group. Egyptian authorities declared the Brotherhood a terrorist organisation in December, accusing the group of links with recent attacks on state institutions and on churches since Morsi's ouster. Ministry of Interior officials have warned that anyone taking part in pro-Brotherhood protests after its designation as a terrorist organisation will be punished with five years in jail, while protest leaders might face the death penalty. The Brotherhood-led National Alliance to Support Legitimacy has vowed to step up their protests ahead of the constitution referendum on 14 and 15 January, which will mark a turning point in the transitional roadmap set forth by interim authorities after the removal of the Islamist president. The Islamist group have said they will boycott the poll. http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/91273.aspx
