Thousands of people took part in demonstrations across Egypt Friday to show support for ousted President Mohamed Morsi ahead of his trial Monday.
Protests in Cairo began following Friday prayers, UPI News reported. One march in the Egyptian capital neared the vicinity of the Al-Ittihadeya presidential palace in Heliopolis district, but was blocked by an army barricade.
Thousands of protesters in Alexandria marched through several neighborhoods.
Police fired tear gas to end clashes between pro-Morsi protesters and their opponents in Sidi Beshr. Police there arrested a number of Morsi supporters.
The National Alliance to Support Legitimacy, an Islamist group that backs Morsi, said it will stage protests nationwide in the days leading to Morsi's trial on charges including incitement of murder and violence in the December 2012 presidential palace clashes.
