Eyewitnesses said Friday thousands of protesters gathered meters away from the presidential palace in Heliopolis, demanding that Mubarak step down. Army forces prevented the protesters from drawing closer to the palace.
The group’s presence is disturbing residents of nearby apartment buildings and residents of the upscale neighborhood east of Cairo, one witness said.
"Down, down with Hosni Mubarak," shouted the protesters near the palace. At least six armored vehicles, including three tanks, positioned themselves between the president’s residence and the demonstrators. .
Activists expected that thousands of protesters would join those near the palace, despite the heavy army presence in Heliopolis.
Meanwhile, thousands more continued to fill Tahrir Square Friday and there were several instances of civil disobedience in various vital sectors, including public transportion.
