Egypt riots 2011

Egypt braces for massive protest

Egyptian protesters are gathering for a massive rally in Cairo as they step up their efforts to force President Hosni Mubarak from power.

Organisers say they hope one million will come on to the streets in what is expected to be the biggest show yet. A rally is also planned in Alexandria.

Egypt's powerful army has vowed it will not use force against the protesters.

The BBC's Lyse Doucet in Tahrir Square says the crowds there are already much bigger than on previous days.

Meanwhile, new Vice-President Omar Suleiman says he will hold cross-party talks on constitutional reform.

Mr Mubarak reshuffled his cabinet on Monday to try to head off the protests, replacing the widely despised Interior Minister Habib al-Adly.

But correspondents say that the army's statement has been a major blow for President Mubarak, and appears to have encouraged protesters, who are flocking to central Cairo in their thousands.

The feeling that change is coming in Egypt is getting stronger, says the BBC's Middle East editor Jeremy Bowen in Cairo. Too much has happened too quickly to go back to the way things were before, he says.

(CRISIS)

• Most populous Arab nation, with 84.5 million inhabitants
• Authoritarian President Hosni Mubarak has ruled for 30 years
• Protests against corruption, lack of democracy, inflation, unemployment
• Unrest triggered by overthrow of President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali of Tunisia

At least 100 people have been killed across the country since protests began a week ago following an internet campaign and partly inspired by the ousting of President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali in Tunisia last month. 

Egypt has since cut off the internet in the country and text messaging services have been disrupted.

~BBC News Middle East~

May Allah bless our brothers there Ameen...