CAIRO - Protesters demanding an end to army rule and angered by rough police tactics battled with police on Sunday, presenting Egypt's ruling generals with their biggest security challenge yet, a week before parliamentary elections.

Two people were killed and hundreds wounded in late night clashes reminiscent of some of the worst violence during the 18-day uprising that toppled Hosni Mubarak in February.

Youths in Cairo chanted "The people want to topple the regime" as they rushed at police, who fired rubber bullets and tear gas.

Protesters clashed with police in two other cities.

Egypt holds its first parliamentary election since Mubarak's ouster in a staggered vote that starts on Nov 28.

Many Egyptians are worried that police will not be able to secure the polls, although the army insists it can.

Presidential powers remain with the army after the vote. A row has erupted between political groups and the army-picked cabinet over ground rules for drafting the constitution that could leave the military free of civilian control. Parliament is to pick the assembly to draw up the constitution.

There was sporadic violence on Sunday after the worst overnight clashes subsided.

Thousands of demonstrators were still in Cairo's Tahrir Square, forming lines to defend it.

Brandishing spent shotgun cartridges in a Cairo street strewn with debris, one protester shouted: "This is the Interior Ministry who say they are using self-restraint".

Demonstrators around him wore masks to protect against tear gas and showed off spent gas canisters and bullet casings. Metal barricades had been set up on approach roads to Tahrir Square, where Egyptians gathered to bring down Mubarak.

Many Egyptians are angry that nine months after ousting Mubarak, the army remains in charge and police are still using the same heavy-handed tactics against demonstrators.