Egypt's Sisi says protests 'no reason for concern'

Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said Friday there was no cause for concern over protests against his rule that are planned for later in the day.

"There are no reasons for concern. Egypt is a strong country thanks to Egyptians," he told reporters with a smile, shortly after his return from the UN General Assembly in New York.

Rare protests against Sisi's rule erupted last week in Cairo and other major cities, prompting a crackdown that has seen nearly 2,000 arrests, according to Human Rights Watch.