February 23rd, 2011 by Alec

The Supreme Military Council reshuffled the cabinet on Tuesday,  following Hosni Mubarak’s departure. Twelve members of the cabinet were replaced and the cabinet is  scheduled to hold its first meeting on Wednesday.  Ahmed Shafiq, a Mubarak appointee, was retained as Prime Minister; a move that upset youth groups that took part in the popular uprising. Also retained were Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit and Justice Minister Mamdouh Marie.  Three thousand people gathered in Tahrir Square on Tuesday to protest Shafiq’s continued role in the government.  Two posts were added to the cabinet: that of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Egyptians Abroad and Emigration, filled by Yehia al-Gamal, a member of the opposition Democratic Front Party, and Georgette Kellini, a Coptic Christian, respectively.  The Information portfolio was eliminated and along with it the Ministry of Information.  Munir Fakhri Abdel-Nour, another Copt, was appointed Tourism Minister.  Other independents and opposition members were also appointed to the cabinet.

Update: New Deputy PM al-Gamal has been appointed to supervise the Supreme Press Council until the Upper House of Egyptian Parliament is elected, at which point he will become the head of that body.

Posted in Egypt, Political Parties, Reform |