Protesters camping in Tahrir Square on Thursday intensified their presence in the area and attempted to close the Square for the second time today.

Hundreds of shop owners and residents opened the square for traffic today in all directions except al-Qasr al-Aini Street which is still closed by concrete blocks.

Scores of protesters including masked men closed main roads leading in and out of the square.

A state of panic dominated Talaat Harb Square in downtown Cairo after gunshots had been heard, the Middle East News Agency reported.

The source of the gunshots has not been determined yet.

Several shop owners in al-Bostan Street formed vigilante groups to protect their shops from any revengeful attack against them after they had opened the square earlier.