Thousands rally in Tahrir Square against Morsi decree

Tens of thousands packed Cairo’s Tahrir Square to protest a power grab by Mohamed Morsi, piling pressure on Egypt’s Islamist president as he faces his most divisive crisis since taking power in June.

The huge turnout in the iconic square, expected to swell further each day, marked the largest mobilisation yet against the president.

Thousands of lawyers had earlier left their syndicate chanting “the people want the downfall of the regime”, the signature chant of the protesters that toppled Hosni Mubarak last year, as they made their way to the square.