Egypt unrest

Egyptian security forces are on high alert, with thousands of people expected to join anti-government rallies after Friday prayers. The government says it is open to dialogue but also warned of "decisive measures" as the fourth day of violent protests loomed. Widespread disruption has been reported to the internet and mobile phone messaging services. There are also reports of arrests of opposition figures overnight. The reported crackdown on the largest opposition movement, the Muslim Brotherhood, came after it said it would back the Friday protests. On Thursday, Egyptian opposition figure and Nobel laureate Mohamed ElBaradei returned to Cairo, promising to join the demonstrators. Overnight clashes between protesters and security forces have been reported in Suez. Timeline: Egypt unrest Following is the chronicle of the demonstrations against the country's leadership. January 2011: Activists in Egypt call for an uprising in their own country, to protest against poverty, unemployment, government corruption and the rule of president Hosni Mubarak, who has been in power for three decades. January 25: On a national holiday to commemorate the police forces, Egyptians take to the streets in large numbers, calling it a "day of rage". January 26: A protester and a police officer are killed in central Cairo as anti-government demonstrators pelt security forces with rocks and firebombs for a second day, according to witnesses. January 27: Mohamed ElBaradei, the former head of the UN nuclear watchdog turned democracy advocate, arrives in Egypt to join the protests. ElBaradei says he is ready to "lead the transition" in Egypt if asked.  Meanwhile, protests continue across several cities. Hundreds have been arrested, but the protesters say they will not give up until their demand is met. Protesters clash with police in Cairo neighbourhoods. Violence also erupts in the city of Suez again, while in the northern Sinai area of Sheikh Zuweid, several hundred bedouins and police exchange live gunfire, killing a 17-year-old man. In Ismailia, hundreds of protesters clash with police. Lawyers stage protests in the Mediterranean port city of Alexandria and the Nile Delta town of Toukh, north of Cairo. Facebook, Twitter and Blackberry Messenger services are disrupted. January 28: Internet and mobile phone text message users in Egypt report major disruption to services as the country prepares for a new wave of protests after Friday prayers.  Meanwhile, a lawyer for the opposition Muslim Brotherhood says that 20 members of the officially banned group have been detained overnight. Egypt remains on edge, as police and protesters prepare for a showdown.