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Egyptians protest against President Fattah al-Sisi | Egyptians protest against President Fattah al-Sisi |
(about 7 hours later) | |
Tear gas has been fired to disperse demonstrators in Egypt, at some of the first protests since President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi took power in 2014. | Tear gas has been fired to disperse demonstrators in Egypt, at some of the first protests since President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi took power in 2014. |
Hundreds of Egyptians filled Tahrir Square in Cairo - a key site of the 2011 Egyptian Revolution - late on Friday demanding his resignation. | |
Demonstrations also took place elsewhere around the country. | Demonstrations also took place elsewhere around the country. |
The protests were in response to corruption allegations against President Sisi's government. | The protests were in response to corruption allegations against President Sisi's government. |
At least 74 people have been arrested, AFP news agency reports. | |
An Egyptian businessman and actor, Mohamed Ali, has posted a series of videos online accusing the country's leader of wasting millions on luxury residences and hotels while millions of Egyptians live in poverty. Egypt has pursued a policy of economic austerity in recent years. | An Egyptian businessman and actor, Mohamed Ali, has posted a series of videos online accusing the country's leader of wasting millions on luxury residences and hotels while millions of Egyptians live in poverty. Egypt has pursued a policy of economic austerity in recent years. |
President Sisi has dismissed the allegations as "lies and slander". | President Sisi has dismissed the allegations as "lies and slander". |
What happened on Friday? | What happened on Friday? |
"Sisi out" and "The people want to overthrow the regime" topped Egyptian Twitter's trending list late on Friday. | "Sisi out" and "The people want to overthrow the regime" topped Egyptian Twitter's trending list late on Friday. |
Hundreds of anti-regime protesters gathered in and around Tahrir Square despite efforts to disperse them. | Hundreds of anti-regime protesters gathered in and around Tahrir Square despite efforts to disperse them. |
Demonstrations were also reported in Egypt's second-largest city, Alexandria, as well as in Suez and the town of Mahalla el-Kubra which is north of Cairo. | Demonstrations were also reported in Egypt's second-largest city, Alexandria, as well as in Suez and the town of Mahalla el-Kubra which is north of Cairo. |
Even a few days ago such scenes would have "unthinkable", BBC correspondent Sally Nabil tweeted. | Even a few days ago such scenes would have "unthinkable", BBC correspondent Sally Nabil tweeted. |
Mr Ali, who lives in self-imposed exile in Spain, posted his first video on 2 September. In a video posted on Tuesday, he reportedly said that if President Sisi did not resign by Thursday "the Egyptian people will come out to the squares on Friday in protest". | Mr Ali, who lives in self-imposed exile in Spain, posted his first video on 2 September. In a video posted on Tuesday, he reportedly said that if President Sisi did not resign by Thursday "the Egyptian people will come out to the squares on Friday in protest". |
In 2013, Mr Sisi led the military's overthrow of Egypt's first democratically elected president, Mohammed Morsi, following protests against his rule. | In 2013, Mr Sisi led the military's overthrow of Egypt's first democratically elected president, Mohammed Morsi, following protests against his rule. |
Since then, he has overseen what human rights groups say is an unprecedented crackdown on dissent that has led to the detention of tens of thousands of people. | Since then, he has overseen what human rights groups say is an unprecedented crackdown on dissent that has led to the detention of tens of thousands of people. |
Egyptians voted to approve constitutional changes in April that could extend Mr Sisi's term in office until 2030, on a turnout of 44%. | Egyptians voted to approve constitutional changes in April that could extend Mr Sisi's term in office until 2030, on a turnout of 44%. |
He won 97% of the vote in 2018's presidential election, when he faced no serious opposition. | He won 97% of the vote in 2018's presidential election, when he faced no serious opposition. |