Egyptian protesters were met with tear gas on Friday as thousands marched in cities across the country in continuing opposition to President Mohamed Morsi.

Some of the protesters chanted,"The people want the downfall of the regime," while others outside the presidential palace chanted, "Freedom, where are you? Brotherhood rule stands between us," referring to Morsi's Brotherhood party.

Tear gas was used on protesters in Kafr el-Sheik, Tanta and Alexandria, the Associated Press reports. 

Al Jazeera adds:

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Protests against the president have also been organised after the weekly Friday Muslim main prayers in several of Egypt's 27 provinces.

Thirty-eight opposition parties and movements have called for the rallies, demanding a new unity government, amendments to the draft constitution and guarantees that the independence of the judiciary be maintained.

Earlier this week, the death of a pro-democracy activist following days in police custody sparked fury and reignited calls for police reform - a key demand of the uprising that toppled Hosni Mubarak in 2011.

His death came just days after footage was aired live on television of a man stripped naked and beaten by riot police during demonstrations near the presidential palace.