Egypt's reform leader and Nobel Price laureate Mohamed El Baradie arrived in Cairo Thursday evening to join the anti-government demonstrations that are scheduled to take place after Friday prayers.
"The barrier of fear is broken," El Baradie, former chief of the International Atomic Energy Agency, told reporters at the airport.
He said that he returned to Egypt as it is a critical time, adding that he has to join forces with the people, saying that it is time for President Hosni Mubarak to quit.
"We have been calling for change for a year, but the regime has not listened to us," said El Baradie.
"It's a process, change cannot take place over night," said the 68-year-old El Baradie who gives credit to Egyptian youth inspired by the Tunisian "Jasmine Revolution."
Before arriving in Cairo, El Baradie told reporters in Vienna that he is ready to lead an interim government if Egyptians succeed in overthrowing the current government.
El Baradie formed the National Coalition for Change in 2010, bringing together several of Egypt's opposition groups which demand for political reforms of the country, including transparent presidential elections and ending the emergency law.