(Reuters) Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi kept his finance, investment and interior ministers in a new government sworn in on Saturday (September 19) as he tries to rebuild an economy battered by Islamist militant violence.
Sisi named former head of the state oil company Tarek al-Mullah as petroleum minister, charged with easing the country’s energy crisis and attracting more foreign investment in a strategic sector.
Mullah succeeds Sherif Ismail, seen as one of the best-performing ministers, who became prime minister.
The new government faces many challenges.
Islamic State, which seized large parts of Iraq and Syria, has gained the backing of the most active militant group in Egypt, the recently renamed Sinai Province.
Militants have stepped up attacks on Egyptian soldiers and police since the army toppled Islamist President Mohamed Mursi in 2013 after mass protests against his rule. Hundreds have been killed in bombing and shooting attacks.
Egypt is struggling to get large volumes of foreign investment after years of political turmoil triggered by the 2011 uprising that toppled autocrat Hosni Mubarak, even though Sisi’s economic reforms have won praise.
The new cabinet includes 16 new ministers out of 33 in total but few important posts were handed to newcomers. The defence, foreign and justice ministers all kept their jobs as did most economy-related ministers such as planning and supplies.
Egypt, the Arab world’s most populous country, is due to hold long-delayed parliamentary elections next month, the final step in a process the government has said would deliver democracy.
In his former role as army chief, Sisi toppled Egypt’s first freely-elected president, Islamist Mohamed Mursi, in 2013 after mass protests against his rule. Sisi was later elected president on promises of political stability and economic prosperity.
He launched a security crackdown that put an end to large-scale political unrest in the country but has drawn criticism from human rights groups who accuse him of silencing the opposition.