Egyptian activists are gearing up for a mass rally in Cairo's Tahrir Square on Friday to protest against what they say is a slow pace of government reforms and justice for the victims of a crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrations earlier this year.
The rally follows several legal decisions that have angered some Egyptians.
On Monday, hundreds of protesters in Suez attacked a courthouse and police station after a judge upheld the release on bail of seven police officers charged with killing demonstrators during the uprising that ousted President Hosni Mubarak in February.
On Tuesday, a Cairo court acquitted three of Mubarak's former Cabinet ministers of corruption charges.
Wednesday, in an apparent bid to stem mounting protests, Egypt's security chief announced plans to dismiss hundreds of police officers linked to the deadly crackdown.
Last week, more than 1,000 people were injured in clashes between police and protesters in Cairo. The demonstrators were urging the country's military leaders to speed up the prosecution of officials blamed for killing protesters in the lead-up to Mubarak's departure from office.
At least 850 people were killed during the 18-day revolt that culminated with Mubarak's resignation.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP and Reuters.
