Egypt police fire tear gas as students protest ahead of vote

CAIRO: Police fired tear gas at university students in Cairo on Sunday as they demonstrated in support of ousted president Mohamed Morsi, two days ahead of a referendum on a new constitution.

Clashes between police and the protesters erupted in front of Cairo University, Al-Azhar University and Ain Shams University, security officials said, adding that 19 students, including four women, were arrested.

Sunday´s clashes came as Egypt´s military-installed authorities prepare for a referendum on a new constitution, which is due to take place on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The referendum has been billed as the first step in Egypt´s democratic transition after the military overthrew Morsi in July after protests against his one-year rule.

The vote is to be followed by two elections -- to elect a new president and a new parliament, but the authorities have yet to decide which election will be held first.

The referendum is also seen as a test of popularity for army chief General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who led the ouster of Morsi.

On Saturday he called on the public to turn out "in strength" at the referendum this week.

Experts say the country´s interim rulers are hoping for a massive approval of the new constitution that would then allow Sisi to contest the presidential election.

Sisi said on Saturday that he would run for the presidency if there was a "popular demand" for him to nominate himself, according to the state newspaper Al-Ahram.

The military has said it will deploy 160,000 soldiers to guard some 30,000 polling stations during the referendum.