Egypt’s army tightened security on Friday outside key state institutions ahead of rival protest rallies by backers and opponents of toppled Islamist president Mohamed Morsi.
Soldiers were manning checkpoints on all arterial access roads to Cairo – the hub of the planned rallies – to prevent weapons from being smuggled to the demonstrators, according to witnesses and local media reports.
The army has warned of using the “utmost firmness” against violent protesters.
Caretaker president Adli Mansour vowed in a televised address on Thursday to protect the country from what he called “chaos”.
The Muslim Brotherhood has said it will stage “deafening” protests across Egypt to demand the reinstatement of Morsi, who was deposed by the army this month.
“The way out of the crisis caused by the bloody military coup is to reverse this coup and restore constitutional legitimacy,” an Islamist coalition led by the Brotherhood said.
The army removed Morsi on July 3 after millions of Egyptians took to the streets demanding his resignation and early presidential elections.
Liberal groups have said they will hold a rally in Cairo’s Tahrir Square on Friday to push for the implementation of a roadmap announced by the military.
That plan includes amending a controversial Islamist-drafted constitution, and holding parliamentary and presidential elections in nine months.
Dozens have died in clashes across Egypt since Morsi’s toppling.
At least 51 people, mainly Brotherhood supporters, were killed last week when soldiers opened fire on protesters outside the Republican Guard building in Cairo, where Morsi is believed to be held.
The army said its soldiers acted in self-defence.
