Teargas and rubble - a now familiar sight in Cairo as clashes between police and demonstrators disrupt the city once again.

The protests started on Tuesday outside the U.S. Embassy and by Friday had spread to nearby streets.

It started as a reaction to a low-budget film apparently made in the U.S. that is seen as an insult to the Prophet Mohamed.

But there has been a lack of clear articulation from those on the streets.

A U.S.-based Egyptian Christian activist said he promoted the film to highlight discrimination against Copts in Egypt.

But Copts here have been quick to distance themselves from the film.

Some believe negative forces are taking advantage of a country still coming to terms with itself in the aftermath of revolution.

(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) CHRISTIAN WOMAN, HANAN MORRIS, SAYING:

"I think they know the country is still very much unstable and they purposely did this to entice sectarian strife in Egypt. It was uncalled for. Nobody should interfere in the religions of others because, whether it's the right or wrong religion, it is still their choice."

A million-man protest is scheduled here later on Friday and mass demonstrations are expected across the Middle East.