CAIRO - The Government pledged to pay more attention to restoring security in the street as well as achieving economic development in rural areas. Prime Minister Kamal el-Ganzouri, whose national salvation government assumed its full responsibilities on Wednesday, told reporters that the State aimed at "reducing the gap between urban and rural areas" as well as easing the costs of living. "Stalled development projects in rural areas should move forward in parallel with efforts to restore security," el-Ganzouri said, referring to soaring violence and crime rates since the January 25 revolution. He said that his Cabinet would work on developing rural areas so they could attract investments and employees. "In this regard, the Government has set up two ad-hoc commissions. The first will deal with security, whereas the second will focus on the implementation of stalled development projects," el-Ganzouri said.He added that a committee had also been formed to draw up plans for economic improvement and a second panel would be responsible for the revolution victims' families. "These two committees will submit their initial reports by the end of this month," el-Ganzouri said, adding that his Government would work for all Egyptians regardless of their political affiliations. "It is true that a minority rejects my Cabinet, but the majority supports it and wants it to fulfil its national duties," el-Ganzouri said. He called on the nation's youth to stop protesting and look after Egypt's interests and welfare. "The Government is able to disperse a protest in 15 minutes, but I will not allow this to happen." He said that the Government had been assigned to take on a wide array of tasks aimed at controlling prices, overcoming unemployment, helping the victims of the revolution and their families, developing the State's infrastructure and removing any obstacles impeding the growth of investments. In addition to implementing public utility projects, the Government would work on maintaining the stability of food prices and basic commodities, el-Ganzouri said. The Army rulers issued a decree on Wednesday handing presidential powers to Prime Minister el-Ganzouri, but kept control of military affairs and the judiciary. It appointed el-Ganzouri after the former Cabinet of Essam Sharaf resigned last month during clashes between police and protesters demanding that the Army step aside. El-Ganzouri said he was granted broader powers than his predecessor.
