MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Thousands Due To Protest Across Egypt

Protesters in Cairo demand the ouster of Hosni Mubarak, the Egyptian president

Egyptian demonstrators fought security forces into the early hours of Friday in the city of Suez, and the Internet was blocked ahead of the biggest protests yet planned against President Hosni Mubarak's 30-year rule.

Protesters have warned it will be the biggest day of protests, as crowds gather after Friday prayers.

However Egypt's interior ministry said it will take “decisive measures” against anti-government protests and has already deployed special operations forces.

The government warning comes after deadly clashes with police that have killed at least five people on the third day of violence across the country.

Egyptians have been urged to join mass protests and the influential Islamist transnational Muslim Brotherhood backed the planned protests.

The Brotherhood is the largest power structure in Egypt besides the army and state, and last night authorities ordered a crackdown on the group, arresting at least three key activists.

“We have orders for security sweeps of the Brotherhood,” a security source said.

A lawyer for two Brotherhood leaders, Dr. Essam El-Erian and Dr. Mohamed Mursi, revealed they had been arrested, along with a number of other members.

Facebook, Twitter and Blackberry Messenger services have been interrupted, and protesters also voiced fears over mobile phone and internet access being cut during the day. (SkyNews)