Egypt has arrested 348 people in scuffles between police and protesters, head of Cairo security said on Tuesday, adding that convicts and ex-convicts were among the defendants.

Osama al-Sagheer told Aswat Masriya that two-hundred and sixteen security forces members have been injured in the ongoing clashes, some of them by birdshots.

Clashes erupted last week following a demonstration to commemorate last November's "Mohamed Mahmoud events" where over 40 people were killed.

The police-civilian violence escalated on Friday following demonstrations held against a decree issued by President Mohamed Mursi.

Mursi issued a constitutional decree on Thursday expanding his powers and shielding his decisions from judicial review.

The decree was met with outrage from his opposition and wide support from his supporters.