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Egypt

Tear gas used to disperse protests in Cairo

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By Euronews
Tear gas used to disperse protests in Cairo
  • Tear gas used to disperse protests in Cairo
  • Thousands call for president to go
  • al-Sissi calls for stability

What is happening?

Egyptian security forces have used tear gas to disperse crowds protesting against President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.

Videos uploaded to social media show anti-regime protesters chanting and marching in the affluent Dokko neighbourhood.

Thousands of police and soldiers were deployed across the Egyptian capital.

Security services moved quickly to block roads leading to popular central Cairo meeting points.

In pictures

What is the background?

Thousands of Egyptians called for al-Sissi to resign earlier this month. It was the largest demonstration since the former military general took office in 2014.

They were angered by his decision to hand over two Red Sea islands to Saudi Arabia.

Saudi monarch King Salman visited Egypt earlier this month.

His country has announced a multi-billion dollar aid and investment package for Egypt, fuelling concerns that the islands were being sold off.

  • Tiran and Sanafir lie off the Sinai peninsula
  • Originally Saudi Arabian
  • Placed under Cairo’s protection in 1950 when Saudi government feared an israeli attack

What has the president said?

Abdel Fattah al-Sissi is urging people to defend the state and its institutions against what he calls “the forces of evil”.

He gave a televised address on Sunday evening.

al-Sissi insisted on the need for stability in Egypt – the Arab world’s most populous country.

Has anyone been arrested?

Yes.

Human rights activists say more than 90 people have been detained in recent days.

They claim youths were arrested in coffee shops and their own homes.

There has been no comment from the Egyptian Interior Ministry.