Cairo: Efforts by Egypt’s prime minister-designate Ebrahim Mehleb to finalise the formation of the new cabinet on Friday suffered a blow after he had to drop nominees for two portfolios due to objections.
Mehleb’s government was originally due to be sworn on Saturday, but he said the swearing-in will take place on Sunday instead.
Mehleb, an ex-housing minister, retracted his nomination of Ashraf Mansour, president of the private German University in Cairo, for the Ministry of Higher Education after objections from the Higher Council for Universities, responsible for drawing up higher education institutions in Egypt, according to cabinet sources. Other academics objected to having a president of a private university as minister of higher education.
Likewise, objections from many intellectuals prompted Mehleb to withdraw his choice of Osama Ghazli Harb, the head of the liberal Democratic Front Party, as minister of culture, saying no politician should not hold this post.
Veteran actor Mohammad Sobhi, meanwhile, turned down the offer to hold the culture portfolio, citing personal reasons.
Mehleb on Friday met candidates for the two posts, but there were no final candidates. Mehleb has yet to confirm nominees for the ministries of health and justice, said the sources.
At least 16 ministers from the outgoing government are kept in the new cabinet. They include ministers of the interior, foreign affairs, information, planning, local development, religious affairs, tourism, oil, telecommunications, antiquities, trade, education, the environment, youth and sports, transitional justice and agriculture. Powerful Defence Minister Abdul Fattah Al Sissi is also to keep his post until he announces a likely bid for president.
Ministers whose replacements have been already confirmed are those of electricity, civil aviation, military production, manpower, social solidarity, irrigation and housing.
The make-up of the new government, which will set the scene for crucial presidential elections this spring, has been trimmed from 36 members to 30 after several ministries have been merged to ensure better coordination and performance, according to observers.
The final line-up is likely to be presented to caretaker President Adly Mansour on Saturday for endorsement before the swearing-in ceremony.
Mehleb’s government will be Egypt’s second since the military toppled Islamist president Mohammad Mursi in July last year following enormous street protests against his one-year rule.