Dozens of supporters of television personality Tawfiq Okasha, gathered Friday outside the US Embassy in Cairo to demand the expulsion of the US Ambassador to Egypt and reject the makeup of the constituent assembly tasked with writing the new constitution.
Protesters raised banners that read, "The people want to expel the American ambassador," "The people want to dissolve the Parliament," "Down, down America," and "The people, the armed forces, the police and the judiciary are one hand."
Central Security Forces closed the street leading to the American Embassy and central security recruits stood guard to prevent protesters from approaching the building.
On Friday, 9 March, dozens were injured after clashes broke out in front of the US Embassy between Okasha supporters and revolutionary youth who were protesting in nearby Tahrir Square.
Popular sentiment toward the US has taken a dive in recent weeks after a travel ban was lifted on the employees of US government-funded NGOs who are on trial for illegally receiving foreign funds and working in the country without a license.
The NGO case had endangered the US$1.3 billion aid package that the Egyptian military receives annually from the US. Many suspect that a diplomatic deal was behind the NGO workers’ release.
