The American University in Cairo (AUC) decided on Sunday to suspend all its activities, as a group of students continue a strike against fees, making it difficult for the university to operate.

"After exhausting all alternatives with the students insisting on closing the gates, the American University in Cairo is suspending operations, including all classes, because of the danger posed by the continuing closure of the campus." A message sent by the administration to the AUC community read on Thursday.

Hundreds of AUC students began a strike with the beginning of the new school year against the seven percent increase in tuition fees.

AUC's President Lisa Anderson however insisted in an email sent on Saturday night that the increase was announced to and agreed upon by the community beforehand.

"We developed this year's budget relying on that income to pay for our expenses, including salaries, utilities and other essential services; we cannot operate the University without the predicted revenues." Anderson said in her email to AUC.

She added that more than 60 percent of the student body receives financial aid, encouraging more students to apply for aid if they are unable to pay the required fees.