Fierce clashes have erupted between Egyptian security forces and students protesting against the military-backed government at al-Azhar University in Cairo.

The security forces fired tear gas at protesters spilling out after a call by the Anti-Coup Alliance for a national uprising against the government.

Angry protesters also demanded the release of political detainees. Similar demonstrations were also held at Cairo University.

Since the start of the academic year in September, Egyptian university campuses have witnessed a number of protests.

Protesters were prevented from marching towards Rabaa al-Adawiya Mosque, the scene of a former sit-in where hundreds of protesters supporting the former president, Mohamed Morsi, were killed as security forces broke up the camps in early August.

"Rabaa Square is completely off-limits," media outlets quoted a security source as saying, adding, "Protesters are not allowed to move inside it."


The development comes as demonstrations by Morsi's supporters against the military-backed interim government are still being held across Egypt despite the interim authorities’ efforts to widen crackdown on Morsi backers.

The interim government took power after Morsi was ousted by the army on July 3.

Egypt's interim government has arrested more than 2,000 Muslim Brotherhood members, including the party’s leader, Mohamed Badie, who was detained on August 20.

Morsi has been held in an unknown location since his overthrow. He is due to stand trial on November 4 on charges of inciting violence.

Hundreds of supporters of the group have been killed in clashes with army over the past few months.