EGYPT: EL-SISI’S CABINET SWORN IN

Egypt's New Cabinet sworn in (Photo: Al Ahram) — Egypt’s New Cabinet sworn in (Photo: Al Ahram)

Cairo, 18 Sha’ban 1435/17 June 2014 (MINA) – The first cabinet under Egypt’s new President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi was sworn in on Tuesday morning, headed by Prime Minister Ibrahim Mahlab.

The new government — the third since the ouster of president Mohamed Morsi in July of last year — retains 21 existing ministers, one of whom will hold a new portfolio, and introduces 13 new ones, Egypt’s Ahram cited by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA).

Headed by the president and the premier, the cabinet held its first meeting immediately after taking oath.

While Egypt’s Daily News reported Twenty ministers retained their posts, including Minister of Interior Mohamed Ibrahim who was first appointed by Morsi in January 2013. Minister of Defence Sedki Sobhi also continues in his post, which he assumed after Al-Sisi resigned as defence minister to launch his presidential campaign.

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Former Ambassador to the United States Sameh Shoukry replaces Nabil Fahmy as Foreign Minister. Fahmy had held the post since the formation of the first interim cabinet after the overthrow of Mohamed Morsi in July 2013.

The formation of new ministerial portfolios saw the removal of the Ministry of Information, and the creation of the Ministry of Urban Development. Three ministries were split, bringing the total number of ministries to 34.

The Ministry of Scientific Research was split from the Ministry of Higher Education, and the Ministry of Investment was split from the Ministry of Trade and Industry. The Ministry of International Cooperation is now a separate ministry from the Ministry of Planning.

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The new Cabinet is headed by Prime Minister Ibrahim Mehleb, who was reappointed by Al-Sisi after he resigned as interim Prime Minister following the former defence minister’s inauguration as President.(T/P03/P04)

New Ministers:

Ashraf Salman, Minister of Investment

Mahfouz Saber, Minister of Justice

Hani Dahi, Minister of Transport

Gaber Asfour, Minister of Culture

Hossam El-Din Moghazy, Minister for Irrigation

Khaled Fahmy, Minister of Environment

Sayed Abdel Khaliq, Minister of Higher Education

Sameh Shoukry, Foreign Minister

Ibrahim Al-Heneidi, Minister of Transitional Justice and Parliamentary Affairs

Sherif Hammad, Minister of Scientific Research

Adel Al-Beltagy, Minister of Agriculture

Mamdouh Al-Damaty, Minister of Antiquities

Najla Al-Ahwani, Minister of International Cooperation

Laila Iskander, Minister of Urban Development

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Ministers who retained their posts:

Sedki Sobhi, Minister of Defence

Mohammed Ibrahim, Minister of Interior

Hisham Zaazou, Minister of Tourism

Atef Helmy, Minister of Communication
Mounir Fakhry Abdel Nour, Minister of Industry

Ashraf El-Araby, Minister of Planning

Sherif Ismail, Minister of Petroleum

Mohamed Hamed Shaker, Minister of Electricity

Nahed Al-Ashry, Minister of Manpower

Mohamed Mokhtar Gomaa, Minister of Endowments

Mahmoud Abou El Nasr, Minister of Education

Khaled Abdel Aziz, Minister of Youth and Sports

Major General Ibrahim Younis, Minister for Military Production

Adel Hassan Al-Adawi, Minister of Health

Mostafa Madbouly, Minister for Housing

Dr. Khalid Al-Hanafi, Minister of Supply

Hany Kadry Dimian, Minister of Finance

Ghada Wali, Minister of Social Solidarity

Hossam Kamal, Minister of Civil Aviation

Adel Labib, Minister for Local Development