Egyptian police scuffled with protesters in central Cairo today in the latest demonstration against the rule of president Hosni Mubarak ahead of a parliamentary election later this year.
Police in riot gear beat back at least several youths and detained at least one person when about 400 protesters from a number of opposition groups and social movements turned out near the government headquarters in downtown Cairo.
There were no further details immediately available.
Opposition lawmakers had called the demonstration to condemn what they deem rough treatment by police, who right groups say use arbitrary arrests and torture to stifle dissent.
Opponents of Mr Mubarak's 29-year rule were particularly angry about comments from one MP loyal to Mr Mubarak suggesting protesters should be shot.
A series of recent protests have aired several grievances, including calls for an end to a decades-old emergency law that permits indefinite detentions and to rules that make it difficult for candidates to challenge Mubarak in the presidential election in 2011.
The protests have also called for raising a minimum wage, unchanged for more than a quarter of century and now worth the equivalent of $6 a month.
Mubarak, who turns 82 on May 4th, has not said whether he would run for a sixth term in 2011. Many Egyptians believe if he does not, his politician son Gamal will stand as a presidential candidate.
Egypt holds a parliamentary election later this year.
Reuters