Police in security drive for presidential inauguration

An Egyptian policeman patrols with a dog outside the high constitutional court in the capital Cairo, on June 8, 2014, during Egypts ex-army chief and now President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi swearing in ceremony, outside the high constitutional court in the capital Cairo, on June 8, 2014. Sisi was sworn in as Egypt's president, formalising his de facto rule since he deposed the elected Islamist last year and crushed his supporters. (AFP PHOTO / KHALED DESOUKI) — An Egyptian policeman patrols with a dog outside the high constitutional court in Cairo, on Sunday, during Egypts ex-army chief and now President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi swearing in ceremony, outside the high constitutional court.
(AFP PHOTO / KHALED DESOUKI)

Police forces secured the Supreme Constitutional Court (SCC) premises for the inauguration of now President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi on Sunday.

Security forces closed part of Maadi corniche leading to the SCC during the morning, according state-run news agency MENA. Tahrir Square and Corniche Al-Nil Street were also closed to traffic, MENA added.

General Hany Abdel Latif said that security forces were on high alert and are securing all the major squares across the country.

“Tahrir Square is closed off to vehicles but metal detector gates were set up for pedestrians,” said the General Abdel Latif.

High school students continue to take their exams as scheduled, despite the cabinet’s announcement that Sunday would be a national holiday.

Since dawn, the premises of the SCC have been surrounded by seven units of Central Security Forces and special operations, who were stationed on rooftops surrounding the SCC. More than 170 explosive experts have inspected the area around the SCC, Tahrir square, Etihadeya and Qubba Palaces according to General Samy Yousef, Interior Minister’s Aide for Civil Security.

Al-Sisi won a landslide victory of 96.9% votes over his opponent, Nasserist candidate Hamdeen Sabahy, who reaped 3.09% of votes, in an election that lasted from 26-28 May and saw over 25 million Egyptians participating.