Egyptian armed forces and protesters have clashed in Cairo, as troops used water cannon and rocks to disperse demonstrators trying to reach the Defense Ministry.

Protesters threw rocks at the troops.

The clashes came as thousands of demonstrators in downtown Cairo demanded that the military hand over power to civilians.

The clashes Friday in another part of Cairo erupted when some protesters cut through barbed wire separating the two sides.

State TV streaming live coverage from the site of the clashes showed troops snatching one protester, beating him with metal sticks, tearing his clothes and leaving his back bloody.

The clashes followed a flare-up of violence at the Defense Ministry this week that left at least nine dead ahead of presidential elections later this month. [AP]