Kifaya calls for an end to Mubarak's rule and the state of emergency

The movement, which is campaigning against a fifth mandate for President Hosni Mubarak, said the men were arrested while distributing leaflets.

The protests are due to happen in Cairo and 12 other Egyptian governorates.

As well as leaflets, Kifaya has been promoting its demonstrations in paid newspaper advertisements.

The movement named the arrested men as Ashraf Suleiman, an accountant, and Hisham Nabil, a university student.

Kifaya's other main demand is for the lifting of the state of emergency that has been in place since the assassination of Anwar Sadat, Mr Mubarak's predecessor, 24 years ago.

Earlier this year, Mr Mubarak announced that rival candidates would for the first time be allowed to stand in the presidential election due late in 2005.

Previously, voters have only been able to approve or reject a single candidate nominated by a parliament dominated by Mr Mubarak's ruling National Democratic Party.