The Egyptian Interior Ministry has described Tuesday's "Day of Rage" demonstrations–held in several cities throughout the capital–as a “brazen challenge" to the authority of the state.
The demonstrations were staged to protest official corruption and deteriorating economic conditions.
In a statement on Tuesday, the ministry called for an end to the protests so as to avoid "negative repercussions on public security."
In remarks carried by state media, Egyptian Interior Minister Habib al-Adli asserted that police were "capable of deterring any breach of security."
The ministry denied that a group of girls participating in the demonstrations had been arrested, as has been reported.
But according to human rights groups, at least 50 people have been arrested for participating in protests in Cairo.
