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Morsi and SCAF negotiating name of defence minister: New PM New PM Hisham Kandil claims talks are ongoing over the Defence Ministry, the minister of which is now head of the military council
Newly appointed Prime Minsiter Hisham Kandil said that there discussions are going on between president Mohamed Morsi and the Supreme Council of Armed Forces (SCAF) regarding who the next minister of defence will be. The current minister of defence is Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawi, head of the SCAF. A constitutional addendum issued on 17 June by the SCAF states in article 53 that the head of the military council, now a position held by Tantawi,will remain minister of defence until a new constitution is drafted. Accordingly, this raises doubts whether Tantawi will be replaced in the coming period. Also, Kandil's statements revive the debate whether Morsi has recognized the addendum constitutional declaration. President Morsi has sworn oath in front of the high constitutional court in accordance with the 17 June addendum. The Muslim Brotherhood, however, had frequently denied their candidate will be abiding by it. Tanatwi has been minister of defence since 1991, under seven different governments.