Hundreds of thousands of anti-government supporters have gathered in central Cairo for what the organisers are calling a Friday of Departure. It is the eleventh day of demonstrations and those calling for the immediate departure of President Hosni Mubarak are hoping

Greek President Karolos Papoulias and his Cyprus counterpart Demetris Christofias on Thursday expressed hope that calm will prevail in Egypt and Cairo’s stand over issues of national interest to Athens and Nicosia will not change.

Albania’s Socialist opposition is expected to hold simultaneous rallies in four Albanian cities on Friday, in an effort to put pressure on the government of Prime Minister Sali Berisha and force early elections.