Egypt judges demand independence

Cairo is seeing demonstrations for and against President Mubarak

Thousands of judges from across Egypt are meeting in Cairo to demand reforms that will give them more independence.

The judges are meeting in a large tent near their headquarters.

A BBC correspondent in Cairo says the judges are angry about delays in voting on a parliamentary amendment that would guarantee an independent judiciary.

They are also pressing for laws that would allow them to supervise forthcoming presidential elections without interference by the government.

The judges have threatened not to play any part in supervising the elections if they are not given full control over each step of the electoral process.

Rival demonstrations

At the same time, supporters and opponents of President Hosni Mubarak held rival demonstrations in a square in central Cairo amid a heavy riot police presence.

About 500 demonstrators carried banners reading "Yes to Mubarak", and chanted "Traitors, get out of here!" at the anti-government protesters.

Reports say stones were thrown between the rival demonstrators.

A similar number of demonstrators from the Kifaya (Arabic for "Enough") movement, which is calling for an end to Mr Mubarak's rule, gathered in support of the judges meeting nearby.

A group of about 150 lawyers also demonstrated in favour of the judges and their demands.

Contested elections

Egypt's parliament on Tuesday approved a constitutional amendment that will allow presidential elections to be contested for the first time.

The law imposes tough conditions on independent candidates that the opposition says will effectively block a serious challenge to the candidate put up by the ruling party.

President Mubarak's announcement in February that the constitution would be changed to allow contested presidential elections was hailed as a reform.

Mr Mubarak proposed the amendment under domestic and US pressure to democratise the political system.

The next presidential election is scheduled for September, but Mr Mubarak has not said whether he planned to seek a fifth, six-year term in office.