Violent clashes kick off on the streets of Cairo early on Sunday morning.

Security forces launch tear gas as protesters return fire with stones on the third straight day of protests against Egyptian President Mohamed Mursi.

Demonstrators took the streets after Mursi issued a decree granting himself sweeping powers, and forbidding the judiciary from challenging his decisions until a new parliament is elected.

Many in Tahrir Square have accused him of hijacking the revolution, with some describing his as worse than ousted President Hosni Mubarak.

(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) EGYPTIAN PROTESTER MOHAMED ABDUL WAHAB, SAYING:

"Hosni Mubarak, with all his arrogance and dictatorial tendencies, never gave himself the power that no one can appeal his decisions."

A camp had been erected in the centre of Tahrir Square where some protesters have remained since thousands demonstrated on Friday.