Few changes are expected in Egypt’s new government, newspapers reported on Wednesday, as Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif continued consultations to finalise his new Cabinet line-up.
According to the Egyptian press, the new Cabinet will be downsized from 34 to 30 portfolios, 23 of which will remain unchanged.
The 54-year-old Nazif, who was appointed for the first time in July 2004 and asked on Tuesday by President Hosni Mubarak to form a new government, was expected to announce a final line-up later on Wednesday.
The most significant exit from the goverment was that of the minister of parliamentary affairs Kamal al-Shazli, Egypt’s longest-standing MP and a symbol of the old guard in the ruling National Democratic Party.
Outgoing housing minister Ibrahim Suleiman, another controversial figure of the regime accused of corruption by the opposition, was also removed from the government, according to the reports.
Among the main trends in the changes to Nazif’s team were the consolidation of the clan close to Gamal Mubarak — the president’s elder son and heir apparent — and the inclusion of several businessmen.
But the four key ministries of defence, interior, foreign affairs and information remained unchanged. The Cabinet line-up is expected to include two women and two Copts. – Sapa-AFP