Cairo's central metro station Sadat reopened on Tuesday after being closed the day before, a day that saw anti-government protests against a recent deal to acknowledge Saudi Arabian sovereignty over two Red Sea islands.

The metro station in Tahrir Square was closed to passengers throughout Monday, when police were out in force to confront protests.

The spokesman for the metro's operating company, Ahmed Abdel-Hady, said the station was open to passengers early on Tuesday. 

A number of small demonstrations were held on Monday to protest against Egypt's decision to acknowledge the islands of Tiran and Sanafir as Saudi. Police dispersed the protests with teargas and arrested scores of people.

Sadat metro station is one of two stops that link the metro's two main lines.

Authorities have repeatedly shut the station down over the past few years to thwart attempts by protesters to use the fast and cheap underground transport system to mobilise large rallies in the city centre.