Hundreds of protesters blocked the Nile corniche in Luxor to protest against the appointment of the city's controversial new Jama'a al-Islamiya-linked governor.
Demonstrators blocked the corniche on both sides, setting fire to tires and stopping cars from passing. The gates to the governorates headquarters were also blocked off with chains.
A sit-in has been staged outside the building since Monday to prevent the newly-appointed governor, Adel Asaad al-Khayyat, from enetring and starting work. Residents, tourism sector employees and secularist groups have all joined the demonstration.
About 500 people performed Friday prayers outside the headquarters after they heard that Islamists were planning to march and break up the sit-in.
The imam called on demonstrators to persist with their protest and to join 30 June demonstrations to bring down the ruling Muslim Brotherhood and Mohamed Morsy's presidency.
He accused the Islamist group of dividing Egypt and harming Arab-Egyptian relations.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
