A military coup is reportedly under way in Egypt after an army deadline for a resolution to the country's political crisis elapsed with rival protesters out in force on the streets of Cairo.
President Mohamed Morsi, sworn in around a year ago, was given until around 4pm to act on the ultimatum to "meet the demands of the people" and step down or face military intervention.
According to the Egyptian security forces, orders banning Mr Morsi, Muslim Brotherhood chief Mohammed Badie and his deputy Khairat al Shater from travelling abroad have been issued to airport officials.
Watch a LIVE stream from Tahrir Square in Cairo below:
The army, which has entered the presidential palace as well as state TV buildings in Cairo to monitor content in the station's newsroom, could dissolve parliament and take control of the country.
Reporter Tim Marshall, in Cairo's Tahrir Square, said "The pieces are in place for a coup. The army has put tanks on the outskirts of the city, it's positioned people. I think we are going to get some dramatic developments this evening".
"Whether it is a bona fide coup, or whether the Muslim Brotherhood are upping the anti to make sure their supporters come down in large numbers ... because if there is a coup, their supporters will react badly to this."
Protestors shone green laser light messages on buildings in Egypt's major cities; 'Morsi, Game Over' they read
Mr. Morsi has refused to step down, saying he will protect his democratic "legitimacy" with his life.
Crisis talks involving military chiefs, political and religious leaders continue, with Mr Morsi offering a coalition government as part of a solution to the standoff, but no new compromises.
As the army deadline passed, he warned his elected leadership was the only safeguard against violence and instability - and that it was a mistake for the military to "take sides".
"The presidency envisions the formation of a consensus coalition government to oversee the next parliamentary election," his office said in a statement on Facebook.
Opposition leader Mohamed ElBaradei is also believed to have held talks with army chief General Abdel Fattah al Sisi.
The crisis meetings followed reports in the state-run media that Mr. Morsi would either step down or be removed from office when a political road map for the future of the country was drawn up by the military.
The Al-Ahram newspaper said the plan would establish a three-member presidential council to be chaired by the head of the Supreme Constitutional Court, although the claims were rejected by an Egyptian military source.
In a 45-minute televised address to the nation on Tuesday, Mr. Morsi said he had been voted for in a free and fair election and it was his job to "safeguard the revolution" that put him in office.
He called for calm and said Egyptians should not attack the army, police or each other. He said he was attempting to get the army to return to its normal duties and withdraw its ultimatum.
The armed forces, which took control of the country after the overthrow of Hosni Mubarak in 2011, have intensified their presence in Egypt's cities in recent days.
Thousands of people gathered in Tahrir Square, the birthplace of the revolution, while a giant crowd protested outside the Qasr el Qobba presidential palace where Mr Morsi has been working in recent days.
Meanwhile, Muslim Brotherhood supporters who witnessed clashes near Cairo University say demonstrators were attacked with automatic gunfire.
They claimed many protesters were killed and said they expect similar attacks after the deadline passes.
The Department of Foreign Affairs has issued the following guidelines for any Irish people travelling in Egypt.
- Be cautious if you're travelling to Egypt, and avoid all travel to Northern Sinai
- Avoid any protests, and if caught up in a demonstration, leave the area immediately without attempting to take any photographs
- Protests continue to be held in Cairo and other cities, especially on Fridays
- Be advised that large-scale protests may continue into early July
Tahrir Square in Cairo last night
An encampment in Tahrir Square
Anti-Morsi supporters gathered in their thousands in scenes reminiscent of the Arab Spring protests
