Police have clashed with dozens of Cairo University students, Al-Ahram Arabic news website reported.

Students let off fireworks as they attempted to protest in Nahda square near the campus. The police responded with tear gas, forcing them to retreat back to the campus.  

The students were protesting to demand the reinstatement of 90 students expelled for rioting.

Earlier this year, the Supreme Council of Universities approved the addition of an article to the University Regulations Law allowing university heads to expel students involved in acts of sabotage or terrorism.

University campuses have witnessed regular protests, which have often turned violent, since the ouster of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in July 2013.

Hundreds of protesting students have been jailed since the passing of a strict protest law last November. Many have been expelled or suspended, also over rioting.

A number of students have been killed in recent months during protests.