Military and police forces have been deployed outside the Defense Ministry, the headquarters of the ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, Friday, possibly as a reaction to reports that activists in Tahrir Square are planning to march on the ministry to express their opposition to the council's continuing rule. Large numbers of army and police forces have spread throughout the streets around the ministry in Abbasseya, while dozens of armed vehicles and army personnel have surrounded the building. Political activists have decided to hold a peaceful march from Tahrir to the Defense Ministry. Ultras ― hardcore football fans who often join political protests ― have said they will participate in the march and wear black to pay homage to the martyrs of the 25 January revolution. One activist organizing the march, who preferred to remain anonymous for safety reasons, told Al-Masry Al-Youm that the decision to hold the march came after activists held deliberations in the square. A number of the protesters decided in advance to secure a protest area near Kobba Bridge nearby the ministry. An activist group in Abbasseya has also organized a thousands-strong march to Tahrir before afternoon prayers, to join other demonstrators who are seeking to end military rule.
