Update: 1 dead in Friday clashes

Clashes broke out in Alexandria, Suez, Qena and Fayoum on Friday between supporters of the deposed President Mohamed Morsi, area residents and security forces.

One person was killed and 10 others injured during clashes between protesters and security forces in Suez on Friday evening, the state-run Middle East News Agency (MENA) reported.

Twenty-three year-old protester Khaled Saleh Youssef was shot to death with live ammunition during clashes in Arbaeen Square, the main protest site in Suez.

The Interior Ministry said 54 were arrested across the country during today's protests, according to MENA.

The news agency also reported that four security personnel and one civilian were injured with bird shot during clashes that broke out at a Fayoum protest.

A security source in Fayoum also said that one individual was injured by live ammunition, according to the privately owned newspaper Al-Masry Al-Youm.

Another bird shot injury was reported in Suez, according to state media.

The protests and marches, which were also held in Cairo and Giza, were organized under the title, “Students ignite the revolution.” Media outlets reported a low turnout at protests due to the unusually cold and rainy weather conditions.

Violent protests have been taking place on and around university campuses over the past weeks, namely at Cairo University and Al-Azhar University, leading to dozens of arrests and injuries. One student from Cairo University’s Engineering Faculty was killed in clashes with security forces, leading to an escalation of student protests last week.

On Friday afternoon, traffic returned to normal on Mostafa Nahas Street in Nasr City after it was blocked by protesting students from Al-Azhar University. They reportedly threw rocks at security forces in the area, who responded with tear gas to disperse the crowd.

In Alexandria, security forces broke up protests in the Awayed district, reportedly without using tear gas or water canons, MENA reported. Police had said the protest is in violation of the new Protest Law, which stipulates that authorities must be notified three days prior to a planned demonstration.

The law is seen as highly restrictive and has been criticized by local and international rights groups.

Tear gas was used to disperse protesters in Suez, who allegedly set a police car on fire, MENA reported. Several injuries were reported, mainly due to tear gas suffocation. Three female protesters were arrested.

Arrests also took place as police dispersed protests in Minya and Beni Suef using tear gas and firing warning shots in the air.

Earlier in the day in Cairo, security forces closed off Tahrir, Ramses, Mostafa Mahmoud and Nahda Squares and also intensified security presence at Rabea el-Adaweya, ahead of expected protests planned by supporters of Morsi and the Muslim Brotherhood.

Security was also intensified around the Ettehadiya Presidential Palace, state news agency MENA reported.

In the Qaliubiya governorate, security presence was heavy around state institutions as well as the main entrances to the greater Cairo, MENA reported.