Opposition rallies in Egypt cities

UKPA-

Hundreds of protesters have been rallying on the streets in several Egyptian cities to denounce the country's Islamist president and his Muslim Brotherhood group.

Friday's protests were the first attempt by Mohammed Morsi's opponents to stage a major demonstration against the new president.

But the low turnout was a far cry from the street protests during the uprising that toppled Mr Morsi's predecessor, Hosni Mubarak.

Though the rallies are small, they could serve as a test of how Mr Morsi will respond to opposition demands.

About 200 protesters in Cairo's Tahrir Square said the Brotherhood was monopolising power and that Mr Morsi exceeded his authority when he assumed legislative and executive powers in the absence of parliament.

The protesters also denounced Mr Morsi's forced retirement of the country's top generals earlier this month.