Central security surrounded people in prayer in Giza square and has closed Qasr al-Aini Street leading into Tahrir Square. Hundreds of soldiers also surrounded the worshippers in the area of al-Istiqama Mosque in Giza Square and security forces prevented vehicles and passerby from entering the Giza bridge in the direction of the square as they forced them onto Morad Street and Abbas bridge. ElBaradei, who joined worshippers in prayer in Giza, confirmed yesterday upon his return to Egypt that he would participate in the Friday “Anger” demonstrations. The demonstrations began early Friday afternoon outside of multiple mosques around Cairo under the slogan “Martyrs' Friday.” Al-Masry Al-Youm reporters witnessed dozens of people walking on Morad, Faisal, and Haram streets in Giza around the time of worship, while tens of security vehicles stationed in front of Faisal bridge did not prevent traffic from using the bridge. In downtown, security forces closed Qasr al-Aini Street from the direction of Manial and prevented cars from passing, which forced drivers to bypass the bridge via side streets in the area of Saad Zaghloul. Security closed all of the windows of the buildings near Fatah Mosque in Ramses Square. Police presence intensified as armored vehicles spread out throughout downtown including on the streets leading to Ramses. All building entrances around the mosque were blocked to prevent protesters from hiding there.
