Egyptian armed forces and riot police moved into Cairo's Tahrir Square on Monday to disperse several dozen protesters who refused to leave the area after most groups had suspended a sit-in.

Military police shot into the air to disperse the protesters, and proceeded to beat them with batons when they refused to leave the square, a security official said.

The protesters responded by throwing stones and rocks at the army and security forces and several protesters were injured in the clashes, the official said.

Activists said several protesters had been arrested.

The government said on its Facebook page that "several thugs had been arrested."

Army and security forces had marched onto the square and removed tents set up by protesters, a day after over 26 parties and political movements said they had suspended their three-week sit-in during Ramadan, the Muslim month of fasting which started on Monday.

"Based on our belief that sit-ins are a means, and not a goal... the political parties and youth movements have decided to temporarily suspend their sit-in during the holy month of Ramadan," they said in a joint statement.

Several dozen however had insisted on staying in the square.

Traffic was seen flowing through Tahrir Square -- the epicentre of protests that toppled president Hosni Mubarak in February -- for the first time in three weeks.

Activists said they would return to the square to push for reforms once Ramadan is over.

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