Egyptian independent and opposition newspapers began striking Sunday to protest a government clampdown that had several journalists hit with lengthy jail terms.

The journalists' union said 23 newspapers joined the strike. Dailies did not publish their Sunday editions, while independent and opposition weeklies would not be appearing on newsstands either.

This move came after the sentencing of seven journalists in September to up to two years in prison, charging them for everything from misquoting the justice minister to spreading rumours about the health of President Hosni Mubarak, the Gulf Daily News reported.

"The strike is one of many steps we will use to appeal the current pressures," said Mohammed Sayyed Said, editor of the independent Al Badil, who is facing prosecution for writing about president's health.

"This is an important message to demand the removal of sentences against journalists," he added.

Ibrahim Eissa, editor of the daily Al Destour, and three other editors were sentenced to one year for libelling leaders of the ruling party, including Mubarak's son Gamal, by suggesting the party was dictatorial.

Eissa is also facing another trial for damaging "public order," due to his report on rumours of Mubarak's ill-health.

Earlier on September 24, Anwar Al Hawari, editor of opposition paper Al Wafd, and two other journalists were sentenced to two years in prison for "damaging the reputation of the justice system and the justice ministry."