After being shut for most of last week amid labor protests, Egyptian banks reopened as usual on Sunday for business.

After being shut for most of last week amid labor protests, Egyptian banks reopened as usual on Sunday for business.

Banks initially closed down when looting and vandalism erupted in Cairo a few days into the 18-day uprising against ousted president Hosni Mubarak's regime.

They re-opened briefly after Mubarak stepped down on February 11, only to shut their doors again last week when bank staff joined other Egyptian workers in staging strikes to demand better pay and working conditions.