Dozens of Egyptians protested in the northern Sinai city of Arish in response to a call issued by opposition groups and activists to stage a collective protest to coincide with Police Day.
Members of the opposition gathered in the city along with citizens who were calling for an end to unemployment. The wives of detainees also joined in the protest to urge the release of their husbands and sons.
Residents of al-Mahdeyya village in the border city of Rafah closed the international Rafah-Arish road and burned car tires.
Security forces, meanwhile, prevented the protesters from going out onto the streets and encircled the protests.
Several Egyptian cities are expected to stage protests against unemployment, high prices and low salaries.
A strong security presence was reported in Mahalla, Gharbiya, Alexandria, Cairo, Giza, Minya and Daqahliya while the Interior Ministry said it would arrest those participating in the protests.
Protests in Tunisia recently led to a popular uprising that culminated in the ouster of Tunisian President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali who escaped the country after being in power for 23 years.
