Riot police have fired tear gas and birdshot to disperse anti-government protesters in Egypt's capital, Cairo, BBC News reports.

Hundreds gathered in the Dokki area to call on President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi to resign over his decision to hand back two islands to Saudi Arabia.

The clash took place despite police and soldiers being deployed across the city to prevent planned demonstrations.

Dozens of arrests were also reported, as officials said they would confront any attempt to disturb public order.

Sisi, who has cracked down on all dissent since leading the military's overthrow of President Mohammed Morsi in 2013, said on Sunday that "evil" forces were conspiring to destabilise the state.