Newly-appointed Egypt PM in talks to form government

By Hussein Mahmoud

CAIRO

Egyptian Prime Minister-designate Mustafa Madbouli on Friday began consultations to form a new government amid expectations that as many as 10 cabinet ministers could be replaced.

Flagship state daily Al-Ahram quoted unnamed government and parliamentary sources as saying that the new cabinet lineup would likely be sworn in sometime next week.

According to the same sources, Madbouli will likely wrap up consultations by Saturday, while the names of proposed cabinet ministers would be presented to parliament for approval on Sunday or Monday.

Several cabinet ministers are expected to retain their posts, especially those with important economic portfolios.

The Egyptian authorities, meanwhile, have yet to officially comment on the reports.

On Thursday, President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi instructed Housing Minister Mustafa Madbouli to draw up a new government after appointing him to the premiership, replacing outgoing PM Sharif Ismail.

Madbouli served as acting premier last year while Ismail was traveling abroad for medical treatment.