Nour Party, Egypt's largest Salafi political group, has criticised selections for the country's new interim administration, claiming Prime Minister Hazem al-Beblawy should focus on forming a Cabinet without partisan ties. Nour officials said in a Tuesday statement the new Cabinet had repeated mistakes made under President Mohamed Morsy, producing a "totally biased" group of ministers. Morsy's administration faced repeat criticism it was largely dominated by figures affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood's Freedom and Justice Party. Beblawy has yet to announce the formation this week, but news reports speculate that the new administration is expected to totally exclude Islamists. The announcement is expected to come mid-week. Mohamed ElBaradei, a leading liberal politician and founder of the National Salvation Front, was recently sworn in as the vice president for international relations. The Muslim Brotherhood has meanwhile rejected offers to participate in post-Morsy transition, instead demanding Egypt's ousted president be reinstated and threatening to continue large protests against the new regime. Supporters of Morsy claim the president was ousted in a military coup on 3 July. The past few days have seen Beblawy in talks with prospective candidates and announcing new ministers for his interim Cabinet. Al-Arabiya speculated late Monday that armed forces chief General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi could be named as deputy prime minister, while maintaining his former post as defence minister, in the interim administration. Edited translation from MENA
