Explosion outside of Cairo University

Egyptian state media is reporting that an explosion outside of Cairo University on Wednesday afternoon has wounded five people while other outlets, including AFP, are reporting that nine were hurt in the blast.

According to AFP, five of the nine wounded were policemen stationed outside the campus to quell student protests. Auhorities have reportedly retained the services of a private security company called Falcon to maintain a security presence on 12 campuses. It was not immediately clear if the wounded officers were employees of the company or Cairo policemen.

In the past two weeks, the university's campus - as well as others nationwide - have been the site of protests against stricter government control over the universities and students. A private security company, Falcon, has been hired