Egypt president reshuffles govt., names 9 new ministers

PanARMENIAN.Net - Egypt’s President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi reshuffled his government on Wednesday, March 23, naming nine new ministers and creating a new portfolio for business but leaving the key ministries of defense, foreign affairs or interior untouched, the Associated Press reported.

The most important changes in the widely anticipated reshuffle came in the portfolios of investment, finance, tourism and water resources. El-Sissi swore in the new ministers at the al-Ittihadiyah palace in the Cairo suburb of Heliopolis, the AP said, citing state television.

The changes come at a time when Egypt under el-Sissi is facing a host of seemingly intractable problems, primarily an economy reeling from five years of unrest that has led to a severe slump in the vital tourism sector. They also follow the recent devaluation by nearly 15 percent of the country's weakening currency, a move that led to a surge in prices. Egyptian security forces are meanwhile embroiled in a dilapidating fight against Islamic militants in the Sinai Peninsula who are proving to be tenacious while growing deadlier.

The reshuffle is the first since September, when el-Sissi named Sherif Ismail prime minister, his second premier since he took office in 2014 following his landslide election victory.

Egyptian authorities rarely share with the public the reasons behind sacking government ministers, prompting media speculation and uncertainty. However, Wednesday's replacements appeared to highlight the troubles faced by Egypt in some sectors. Reflecting efforts to revive the country's ailing economy is the creation of a new business sector portfolio, which will be mandated with encouraging and shepherding small start-ups, the AP says.

The investment and finance ministers were also fired, both replaced by candidates plucked from the private sector.