CAIRO: The musical chairs of the transitional government in Egypt again changed on Sunday as Prime Minister Essam Sharaf announced personnel moves in an effort to appease ongoing protests in the country. Before they are officially approved, the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) must approve the changes, which is expected to be done on Monday. The new ministers will be sworn in in front of the council's chief, Hussein Tantawi, later on Monday. Leading the list of new ministers was Mohamed Kamel Amr as Egypt's new foreign minister, replacing Mohamed el-Orabi, who was at his post less than one month. Previously, Amr had been Egyptian ambassador to Saudi Arabia and a senior official in the World Bank. Hazem el-Beblawi, a 75-year-old prominent economist, will take over as finance minister and deputy prime minister for economic affairs. Beblawi has been an advisor to the Arab Monetary Fund based in Abu Dhabi since 2001. Ali el-Selmi, a senior member of the Wafd Party, was on Saturday appointed deputy prime minister for democratic transition. The new ministers of transport, antiquities, civil aviation, communications and IT, higher education, trade and industry, local development, agriculture and military production were also appointed. The reshuffle is part of the latest actions aiming to meet the demands of protesters. But the ministers of interior, justice, culture and information have so far not been included in the reshuffle. Also on Monday, firebrand Antiquities Minister Zahi Hawass resigned from his position amid much controversy. BM
