Egypt's government in 'shock' resignation, paving way for Sisi
Armed forces chief, Field Marshal Abdul Fattah al-Sisi, widely expected to become president
EGYPT'S military-backed government has resigned, fuelling speculation that the armed forces chief Abdul Fattah al-Sisi has engineered the "shock" move so he can run for president.
Prime Minister Hazem Beblawi announced the resignation in a televised statement today, but gave no reason for the decision.
It was not immediately clear who would replace Beblawi, or if he would even stand down at all. However, the state-run al-Ahram newspaper, claimed that outgoing housing minister, Ibrahim Mihlib, was expected to succeed him.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Beblawi was appointed prime minister in July last year after the military overthrew President Mohammed Morsi amid mass protests against his one-year rule.
Today he acknowledged the difficult conditions his cabinet had faced, but suggested that he would be leaving Egypt a better place than it was when he first took office.
Beblawi has been derided in the media in recent weeks for his apparent indecisiveness and failure to bring in effective economic policies, says The Independent.
"The cabinet's resignation has nonetheless come as a shock in the country," says the newspaper, "despite being announced amid a host of strikes and with Egypt's businesses, national security and tourism industry all in turmoil."
The cabinet submitted its resignation to the interim president, Adly Mansour, following a 15-minute meeting this morning, attended by Field Marshal Sisi, the armed forces chief who was also serving as defence minister, according to local media. Sisi would have had to have resigned from his cabinet role in order to run for president.
Reuters says the move is likely to pave the way for Sisi to declare his candidacy for president.
According to the new constitution, approved in January, an election must take place by mid-April and Sisi is widely believed to be likely to win, given his popularity and the lack of any serious rivals.
Russia's President Vladimir Putin has already announced that he is backing Sisi for the presidency.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
'Make legal immigration a more plausible option'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
LA-to-Las Vegas high-speed rail line breaks ground
Speed Read The railway will be ready as soon as 2028
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Israel's military intelligence chief resigns
Speed Read Maj. Gen. Aharon Haliva is the first leader to quit for failing to prevent the Hamas attack in October
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Puffed rice and yoga: inside the collapsed tunnel where Indian workers await rescue
Speed Read Workers trapped in collapsed tunnel are suffering from dysentery and anxiety over their rescue
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Gaza hospital blast: What the video evidence shows about who's to blame
Speed Read Nobody wants to take responsibility for the deadly explosion in the courtyard of Gaza's al-Ahli Hospital. Roll the tape.
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Giraffe poo seized after woman wanted to use it to make a necklace
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Helicopter sound arouses crocodiles
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Woman sues Disney over 'injurious wedgie'
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Emotional support alligator turned away from baseball stadium
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Europe's oldest shoes found in Spanish caves
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Artworks stolen by Nazis returned to heirs of cabaret performer
It wasn't all bad Good news stories from the past seven days
By The Week Staff Published