Egyptian army and police forces sealed off Tahrir and Rabaa al-Adaweya squares to traffic on Friday morning in anticipation of protests which the Muslim Brotherhood has called for.

The National Coalition for Supporting Legitimacy, which backs former President Mohamed Mursi, has called on its supporters to rally today to demand "purging the judiciary".

The Brotherhood's protests come one day after the state of emergency and the curfew imposed three months ago were lifted.

The Interior Ministry has announced a comprehensive security plan to secure all vital installations.

Army forces sealed off all streets leading to Tahrir Square with barbed wire, the Middle East News Agency said.

They deployed about 20 military and police armoured vehicles at the Egyptian Museum and in Talaat Harb, Falaki, Mohamed Mahmoud and Qasr al-Nil streets as well as Simon Bolivar street.

Barbed wire was placed at Tayaran and Nasr streets which lead to Rabaa Square.

Around 12 armoured vehicles were also deployed around Rabaa in anticipation of attempts by Brotherhood elements to access the square.