Protesters have started to flow to Cairo's Tahrir Square for planned demonstrations called for by opposition groups who demand early presidential elections and the removal of President Mohamed Morsy.
Clashes between the president's supporters and opponents have been recurring in several provinces in the past few weeks, leaving seven dead and dozens injured.
More tents have been set up in the square, the epicenter of the 2011 revolution that ousted former leader Hosni Mubarak.
Most of the demonstrators assembled at the stage set up near Mohamed Mahmoud Street, waving Egyptian flags and chanting slogans against the regime and the Muslim Brotherhood.
Roads leading to the square remain closed. Protester-run policing groups stationed at the square's entrances are searching the participants to ensure no armed infiltrators are allowed in.
Buses carrying protesters from Sharqiya arrived in the square. Ambulances stood by in case of injuries.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
