Cairo on Tuesday witnessed Hundreds of people assembled surrounded by security forces to protest against the rumours that 47 year old Gamal Mubarak will be succeeding his father President Hosni Mubarak.

Crowds raised banners reading 'No to hereditary power' and "No to Gamal" as they chanted slogans objecting to the bequeathing of power to Mubarak junior.

Protestors had initially planned to march to the palace but were prevented by several thousand police, positioned around in front of the building.

The police arrested five people, according to demonstrators, and at least two women participating in the protest were beaten.

According to Al Jazeera journalists police confiscated video tapes covering the protests and arrested and beat two women.

In Alexandria police also arrested seven demonstrators where similar protests also took place. The assembled activists were from numerous political opposition trends including Kefaya, and leftists.

The Muslim Brotherhood, the country's main opposition group, was not present.

Tensions are high as Egypt is due to hold both parliamentary elections in November and presidential elections in 2011.  
Despite denials, 82-year-old Mubarak has not confirmed whether he will run for a fifth six-year term, but it is widely believed that he is preparing Gamal to succeed him.
 

Although political opposition figures are calling for a boycott of the parliamentary elections not all have decided on steps they will take. Mubarak who has been in power for over 30 years has imposed the emergency law and opposition groups have united in the call for political change and constitutional amendments