Egypt tightens campuses' security over new unrest fears

(MENAFN- Arab News) CAIRO: As the new academic term began in Egypt riot police were standing guard at Cairo's universities to quash any repeat of protests that turned campuses nationwide into battlefields.

The authorities have tightened security at leading universities across the country the last bastions of protests backing ousted President Muhammad Mursi.

Today the newly painted buildings of the prestigious Sunni Al-Azhar University and Cairo University are surrounded by tall metal fences with private security guards checking students' identities as they pass through metal detectors.

The new security measures ban all partisan activities on campuses and university officials are allowed to expel disruptive students.

The academic year that started on Oct. 11 has already got off to a violent start with clashes in universities in Cairo and Alexandria.

One student died on Tuesday from wounds suffered in clashes with police on Oct. 14 at Alexandria University a health official told reporters.

Omar Abdel Wahab is the first student to have died in clashes since the new school year began.

Several students AFP approached at Al-Azhar refused to comment while some at Cairo University offered only brief remarks clearly reflecting the tension on the two campuses.

'Last year was a mess with tear gas being fired inside the university. But now there are much fewer protests and it's much safer' said Noha Ezz Al-Arab a third-year English literature student as she waited to pass through a metal detector at the gate of Cairo University.

Students backing Mursi say they are undeterred by the new security measures.

Student activists say new protests cannot be ruled out given the anger among a section of students.

'Pro-Brotherhood students are angry that their friends and colleagues are either imprisoned wanted by the authorities or suspended from university. These students will continue to protest' said Khalaf of the Cairo University Student Union.