Egypt's police fire birdshot and tear gas at protesters

Egyptian police fired birdshot and tear gas at protesters in Cairo on Monday, dispersing hundreds of demonstrators who had managed to group together despite an intense police presence in the city.

This was the second mass demonstration in less than two weeks over the Egyptian cabinet's decision to gift two uninhabited but strategic islands to Saudi Arabia earlier this month. The islands, located in the Red Sea, have largely belonged to Egypt since 1950.

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Saudi Arabia has provided billions of dollars in economic aid to Egypt since Sisi wrested power in 2013 on the strength of the nation's military.

Police prepared for Monday's protest by securing the traditional gathering areas before demonstrators arrived, and by arresting activists and journalists in the days leading up to the event.

Around 500 people managed to gather in the mostly residential Mesaha Square, where they chanted "leave" — a statement meant for the president's ears.

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Supporters of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi shouted "traitors" at the protesters, who demonstrated for mere minutes before riot police arrived and shut them down.

The protesters say they believe Sisi made an embarrassing concession to Saudi Arabia as part of an effort to keep the nation's struggling economy afloat.

Sisi, however, has argued that his country had not always controlled the islands of Tiran and Sanafir, and was therefore simply returning "the rights of others."

"Egypt did not relinquish even a grain of sand," he has said.

The Saudi aid has previously come without any overt attachments, and the kingdom has promised more during King Salman's visit to Egypt this month.

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