Middle East News
Troops deployed in Egypt as opposition calls for civil disobedience
Feb 9, 2012, 9:34 GMT
Cairo - Egypt's military-backed government has deployed troops countrywide, state media reported Thursday, as the opposition calls for civil disobedience to press for a transfer of power to an elected administration.
More than 30 protest groups are supporting the civil disobedience campaign due to start Saturday, the first anniversary of Hosny Mubarak's ousting as president.
Armoured vehicles were deployed outside key state institutions, including Cairo airport, according to Al Akhbar newspaper.
'The deployment is aimed at making the public feel secure after worries triggered by recent incidents of violence,' a military source was quoted as saying in the report.
The opposition has accused the military of having orchestrated the deaths of 74 people in a football riot last week, allegedly to prolong its stay in power.
The junta, that has been ruling Egypt since the popular revolt that forced Mubarak from office, has pledged to transfer power to a civilian administration by July.
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