REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, CAIRO - Egyptian security and military forces deployed Friday around Cairo, closing off traffic in some major thoroughfares and in the city center ahead of protests by supporters of ousted President Mohammed Mursi.

The rallies are a test of whether Mursi's supporters can keep up their pressure despite an intensive security crackdown on the Muslim Brotherhood, from which he hails.

The demonstrations come a day after deposed autocrat Hosni Mubarak was released from prison and placed under house arrest in a military hospital in southern Cairo, adding to tensions. Although Mursi supporters have not mentioned the release in their calls for protests, some anti-Mursi revolutionary groups planned demonstrations against it.

They are also the first since the Brotherhood spiritual leader and supreme guide Mohammed Badie was arrested and accused of instigating violence. Nearly 80 Brotherhood members, including senior leaders and spokesmen, were arrested on the eve of the Friday rallies.

Mubarak is still facing trial on charges of complicity in the killing of nearly 900 protesters during the 2011 uprising against him. But his release was viewed by many who rebelled against him as a setback in their campaign to hold him accountable for years of abuse and corruption. Mursi supporters have kept up protests since July 3, when he was ousted by the military after millions took to the streets.

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