The Egyptian Cabinet handed in its resignation to Interim President Adly Mansour in an abrupt decision on Monday afternoon. Prime Minister Hazem El-Beblawi made the announcement in a speech delivered to the nation, describing the members of the cabinet as highly competent and loyal. "They have exerted an effort to see Egypt out of the narrow tunnel," he said, adding that challenges remain, including security issues, economic pressures, and political perplexity. "Thanks to God, security has been restored and, to a great extent, there is rule of law," El-Beblawi said. In a statement issued after the speech, the cabinet attributed the resignation to "current circumstances the country is experiencing" and "responsiveness to the requirements of the current stage". El-Beblawi said if people think that reform is going to take place through the government without the people's support, then they are mistaken. "The government works under the supervision of the people," he said. This is the time for people to support each other, not the time for personal interests or categorical demands. El-Beblawi, 78, was appointed as prime minister by Interim President Adly Mansour on 9 July, just days after the ouster of former president Mohamed Morsi.
