Egypt’s army opened Tahrir Square to traffic on Tuesday after it had been closed for four days in a row, reported the state-owned news agency. (Also see: Sinai Attacks; Where Is Egypt Headed?)
On Friday, the army forces deployed their tanks on the entrances leading to Cairo’s popular Tahrir Square to secure it against possible attacks.
Earlier today, the military vehicles opened up all entrances to the square and removed all barbed wires set-up around it.
Meanwhile, around 25 tanks are still stationed at the square’s entrance from the Egyptian Museum’s side, to be ready for confronting any rallies headed to Tahrir by the Muslim Brotherhood.
Egypt army arrests 11 “terrorists” in Sinai
Egypt’s Army Spokesman Ahmed Mohamed Aly said that the armed forces arrested eleven “terrorist elements” in North Sinai on Tuesday.
He added that the army captured the terrorist suspects after raiding a number of criminal hiding places.
The arrested suspects included two Palestinians, the army said in today’s statement on its official Facebook page.
Muslim Brotherhood names Mahmoud Ezzat temporary leader
The Muslim Brotherhood announced Mahmoud Ezzat as its temporary leader on Tuesday following the arrest of its Supreme Guide Mohamed Badie.
The Brotherhood said in a statement on its Freedom and Justice Party’s website that the decision is in accordance with Article (2) of its code which states that the first deputy replaces the supreme guide when he is unavailable.
Security forces arrested Badie from an apartment in Nasr City earlier for investigations into allegations that he incited violence earlier this year.
Egypt govt: 38 killed on Monday, 11 injured
Egypt’s interim government has said that, according to health ministry reports, 38 people were killed while 11 were injured in unrest across the country on Monday.
Twenty-five State Security conscripts were traveling in two mini buses for vacation after finishing their army service when eight gunmen shot them dead in the lawless Sinai Peninsula on Monday.
A police officer was also shot dead by gunmen in Arish and Al-Ahram’s correspondent in Beheira was killed at a checkpoint in Damanhaour.
Over 800 people have been killed since Egypt decided to disperse two protest camps held by supporters of ousted President Mohamed Morsi.
Egypt declares state of mourning over Rafah deaths
Egypt’s presidency has declared a three-day state of mourning over the 25 conscripts who were killed on Monday, the state television reported.
The conscripts were traveling in two mini buses for vacation after finishing their army service when eight gunmen shot them dead in the lawless Sinai Peninsula on Monday.
Egypt arrests Muslim Brotherhood leader Mohamed Badie
Security forces arrested the Muslim Brotherhood’s supreme guide, Mohamed Badie, from an apartment in Nasr City on Tuesday, the interior ministry said on its official Facebook page.
A Cairo prosecutor had ordered that Badie, his deputy Khairat al-Shater and Rashad Bayoumi as well as three others be referred to criminal court for investigations into allegations that they incited violence by the group’s Cairo office earlier this year.
The necessary legal measures are currently being taken with the top leader of the Islamist group.
Badie had described the authorities’ crackdown on supporters of ousted President Mohamed Morsi as a “massacre” and “crime against humanity”.
Over 800 people have been killed since Egypt decided to disperse two protest camps held by Mohamed Morsi’s supporters.
