Presidential spokesperson Omar Amer told Al-Mehwar satellite channel on Wednesday over the phone that President Mohamed Morsy has no intention of reshuffling the Cabinet.
“Prime Minister Hisham Qandil and his government are staying,” he said.
Amer also denied rumors that Prosecutor General Talaat Abdallah would be appointed justice minister.
A senior government source, speaking on condition of anonymity, had said earlier Wednesday that a Cabinet reshuffle will be announced within a few days.
The source said that the reshuffle would affect Interior Minister Mohamed Ibrahim, Culture Minister Saber Arab, Legal Affairs and Parliamentary Council minister Omar Salem and Justice Minister Ahmed Mekky. The source added that Arab requested dismissal, while also saying that Mekky will resign for health reasons. Local Development Minister Mohamed Ali Beshr is expected to be appointed deputy prime minister.
The reshuffle will also affect 10 governors. Aswan, Qena, Sohag, Alexandria and Monufiya will all see new governors.
The source said that the reshuffle was an attempt to placate people who are dissatisfied with the current government’s performance.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
