According to informed sources, Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif played a major role in President Hosni Mubarak’s recent appointment of Alaa Fahmi to the position of transport minister.
Initially, sources say, Mubarak had not been in favor of Fahmy’s appointment, noting that this was the reason the post remained vacant for more than two months after former transport minister Mohamed Mansour tendered his resignation following the Ayyat rail disaster on the outskirts of Cairo.
Sources further point out that Nazif had recommended Fahmy immediately following Mansour’s resignation, but had received no reply from the president. Nazif, therefore, had asked Fahmy to devise a comprehensive modernization plan for the transport sector so as to convince the president of his worthiness.
Mubarak, after approving Fahmy’s plan, later gave him the transport portfolio.
Translated from the Arabic Edition.
