Student power

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Thousands of student members of the banned Muslim Brotherhood group demonstrated on Sunday at 10 universities across the country. It was the first time the Brotherhood, widely considered Egypt's largest opposition force, had formally organised a university protest under its name, rather than under the more general "Islamist" banner.

Observers said the well-organised protests were meant to demonstrate the group's power in the lead up to next month's parliamentary elections. The demonstrators -- who carried banners with the slogan, "Together for reform: free university, free country", demanded fair and free parliamentary elections, the immediate release of all political detainees, as well as freedom of expression on university campuses.

As the demonstrating students at Cairo University -- who were wearing mock handcuffs and had taped their mouths shut -- left the university, they were surrounded by hundreds of riot police.