On Tuesday night the fractious ranks of those who oppose Egyptian President Mohamed Mursi put their differences aside, with hundreds of thousands descending on Tahrir Square in one of the largest demonstrations since Hosni Mubarak was ousted nearly two years ago.

Early on Wednesday morning, those who remain are greeted with volleys of tear gas fired by Mursi's security forces.

The demonstrations began after Mursi issued a divisive decree on Thursday widely extending his powers while disenfranchising those who oppose him.

Many in Tahrir feel the President has marginalised many Egyptians.

(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) PROTESTER MOHAMED KAMAL, SAYING:

"You are a president and you are supposed to gather everyone around you and you rule in favour of all the Egyptian people; not only the Freedom and Justice Party, and neglect all the other Egyptians."

Mursi's administration has defended the decree, saying it's simply an effort to speed up reforms and complete a democratic transition.

But opponents say Mursi is behaving like a modern-day pharaoh, consolidating power with little concern for the law.