Egypt reshuffles cabinet ahead of poll

[iolsa]

Egypt's military ruler Hussein Tantawi Thursday swore in four new ministers in a minor cabinet reshuffle two weeks before presidential elections.

The appointments mark the first shake-up in the government of Prime Minister Kamal al-Ganzouri since it came to power in December. The new ministers were for higher education, manpower, culture and parliamentary affairs.

There was no official explanation for the reshuffle.

The Islamist-dominated parliament suspended its sessions in April for a week to protest the military's refusal to sack the government, which is seen as incompetent by lawmakers from the Muslim Brotherhood faction that holds nearly half of parliamentary seats.

Egyptians are to vote on May 23-24 the country's first presidential elections since a popular revolt forced Hosny Mubarak to step down more than a year ago. A likely run-off is due on June 16.

The Election Commission and the governing Supreme Council of the Armed Forces have said the elections will be held on time, despite a court ruling on Wednesday that the decree establishing polling day was invalid. - Sapa-dpa



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