By Mahitab Assran and Rana Muhammad Taha National Salvation Front (NSF) head and June 30 Front representative Mohamed ElBaradei was appointed on Saturday as Prime Minister of the current technocratic government. Before announcing his latest appointment, interim president Adly Mansour met with political leaders and top government officials to agree on a transitional roadmap, set to include a constitutional decree. The meeting also discussed the formation of a new technocratic government. Hossam Mo'ness, spokesman of Al-Tayar Al-Shaaby, said that ElBaradei represents the best choice for prime minister for the time being. "We hope he does a good job in the coming phase," Mo'ness said. He added that there was a joint vision between those who had called for the 30 June protests, including ElBaradei, in regards to the kind of cabinet needed. "We are in need of a cabinet comprised of patriotic, efficient ministers," Mo'ness said. "The cabinet's main mission would be to reach a minimum level of development in the fields of security and economy." Mansour issued a presidential decree appointing television anchor Ahmed Al-Mosallamany as a media advisor for the presidency, reported state-run news agency MENA. He also appointed Abdel Mo'men Fouda as his chief of staff. The political leaders present at the meeting included Tamarod representatives Mahmoud Badr and Hassan Shahine; ElBaradei; Al-Nour Party Vice Chairman Galal Morra, and Strong Egypt Party president Abdel Moneim Aboul Fettouh were also at the meeting. Top government officials in attendance included Defence Minister Abdul Fatah El-Sisi, Interior Minister Mohamed Ibrahim and General Intelligence Directorate head Mohamed Farid. According to state owned Al-Ahram, Mansour met with Al-Sisi, Farid and Ibrahim to discuss how to protect protesters, maintain peaceful demonstrations and ensure national security. Mansour also discussed with the leaders of the various political factions their suggestions for the formation of a new government along with creating an "all-inclusive national reconciliation"; all will be part of the roadmap that will be announced on the same day.
Also present were several legal and constitutional experts such as Hatem Bagato, former Minister of State for Legal affairs, and Ali Awad Saleh former vice president of the Supreme Constitutional Court, on hand to assist in writing the constitutional decree, according to state owned Al-Ahram. Sekeina Fouad, renowned writer, former member of Shura Council and former advisor both to ousted President Mohamed Morsi and former Prime Minister Kamal Al-Ganzouri, also attended. "The wheel of development and growth in Egypt was supposed to have started running yesterday," she said, highlighting the importance of moving the process along swiftly, which "will play a major role in the roadmap." Fouad added that a government "of the highest standard and skills" will be formed very soon and confirmed that "ElBaradei definitely is the most likely candidate for prime minister; he is very strongly accepted and supported by almost everyone." Mansour appointed on Friday the head of general intelligence Mohamed Raafat Shehata as security advisor for the president. He also appointed humanist and strategist Mostafa Higazy as his political advisor and chancellor Ali Awad Saleh as his constitutional advisor.
