CAIRO: Egypt's interim government is searching for a new foreign minister after recently-appointed FM Mohamed al-Orabi unexpectedly resigned last night. Diplomatic sources said there have been calls between Egypt's ruling military council and the Egyptian cabinet and some ambassadors as leaders look to replace Orabi. The sources said Prime Minister Essam Sharaf faces a serious impasse. Some of the government's top choices for the position have refused it, including Ambassador Hany Khalaf, Ambassador Refaa Tahtawi, and Dr. Hassan Nafaa. According to the sources, the ambassadors are worried about taking the position for a short time where they would not have a chance to implement their vision or execute their strategies to develop Egypt's foreign policy. The sources confirmed that Orabi resigned when he learned he would not be part of the impending ministerial shuffle. Orabi has held the position for less than a month. He replaced former FM Nabil al-Arabi in mid-June after al-Arabi was elected to head the Arab League.
