Two killed in explosions outside Cairo University

Two bombings outside the main campus of Cairo University killed two people and wounded seven others on Wednesday, state media reported. A third, smaller explosion later also hit the location.

A police brigadier general and a civilian were both killed in the blasts, while the wounded included three senior police officers and four civilians. 

Officials said the initial bombs, which went off seconds apart at the university's engineering faculty during clashes between students and security forces, had been concealed in a tree between two security posts.  

The third blast occured two hours later. There was no immediate word on casualties from that incident. 

Egyptian state TV described the bombs as crude and homemade and the country's Interior Ministry said the third device was also planted in a tree. 

The bombings apparently targeted riot police routinely deployed in the area in anticipation of near-daily protests by students who support ousted Islamist President Mohamed Morsi and his Muslim Brotherhood group.

Though usually limited to the restive Sinai peninsula, attacks have spread to major urban areas in the mainland.

Al Jazeera and wire services