Attending the “day of departure” rally the protesters wave flags and chanted “Leave! Leave! Leave! change, strength, nationalism, and justice”. Soldiers have been guarding the area to limit disruption by Mubarak supporters.
As soon as Friday prayer was over, protestors started their march. According to media report the Speaker of Egypt’s state-backed Al Azhar Mosque has also resigned and joined the protesters in Tahrir Square. The Friday deadline is being called the “Day of Departure” by anti-Mubarak protestors. Amid reports that the US is trying to broker a deal for a transitional government in Egypt headed by Vice President Omar Suleiman, massive crowds thronged the Central Square which is the hub of the unrelenting 11-day protests that have claimed over 300 lives.
According to AIR Defence Minister visited the square to appeal to demonstrators to give up their protest. There was also a pro-government rally at Mohandeseen neighbourhood with the thin presence of President Supporters who called it the day of allegiance. Analysts say that chances of a compromise are getting bleak. Egyptian authorities have been appealing to demonstrators to go home But opposition groups have rejected calls to enter talks and demanded the resignation of President Mubarak. It is still unclear who will win but it is almost certain that standoff will prove costly for Egypt, in days to come.
Meanwhile India has said that more evacuations of its citizens could be under taken from Cairo, if needed. Calling the detention and mishandling of journalists in Cairo, unfortunate, the Foreign Secretary Mrs. Nirupama Rao Friday asked the Indian media to be in close touch with the Embassy. She said the Indian mission was in touch with the Indian community, including 1,037 students at Al-Azhar University. She informed that the students were fine. Mrs. Rao said that there were about 3600 Indian nationals living across Egypt, including Cairo and Alexandria. The Foreign Secretary said that about 500 people have so far been evacuated from the strife torn Cairo.