Dozens gathered in the Hadayeq al-Qubba neighborhood in Cairo on Friday afternoon to protest what they called the “Brotherhoodization” of the army and intelligence services.
The protesters chanted slogans in support of the army and against the Muslim Brotherhood, including: “Down with the Supreme Guide’s rule,” and “The people and the army are one hand.” They also raised Egyptian flags and photos of the late President Gamal Abdel Nasser.
Presidential guards set up barricades at the Qubba Palace’s main gates to prevent any possible attempts to storm the building.
The Hadayeq al-Qubba neighborhood is home to some vital state institutions, including the general intelligence services headquarters, the Defense Ministry and the Qubba Palace.
Qubba Palace is traditionally used to receive foreign presidents and presidential guests, but President Mohamed Morsy temporarily moved his offices there in February to avoid the unrest in front of the Ettehadiya Presidential Palace in Heliopolis.
A movement calling itself “The Popular Committee to Protect Intelligence Services and the Armed Forces” issued a call for Friday’s protests on Thursday evening. It said in a statement that some members of the Brotherhood defamed the nation’s intelligence services, and is also trying to “Brotherhoodize” the army.
Different groups joined this movement in the protest, but no information is available regarding their political affiliations.
On Thursday night Morsy met with members of Supreme Council of Armed Forces (SCAF) to discuss the army’s concerns regarding insults to the military following a leaked report accusing the army of widespread abuses during the revolution.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
