Egypt names new defense minister in wide Cabinet reshuffle

By Mohammad Sio

ISTANBUL (AA) - Egypt on Wednesday appointed a new defense minister as part of a broad cabinet reshuffle.

General Ashraf Zaher was named minister of defense and military production, replacing Gen. Abdel Majeed Saqr, the state-run Al-Qahera News channel reported.

A presidential statement said President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi oversaw the swearing-in ceremony of the new ministers, in the presence of Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly.

On Tuesday, Egypt’s parliament approved a Cabinet reshuffle proposed by Sisi covering 17 ministerial portfolios and creating a new post of deputy prime minister for economic affairs.

During a parliamentary session, Speaker Hisham Badawy said the president had submitted a letter requesting changes in several ministries, with lawmakers approving the new lineup.

The changes also included the return of the Ministry of Information for the first time since April 2021.

Under the reshuffle, Hussein Mohamed Ahmed Issa was appointed deputy prime minister for economic affairs. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar was named minister of health, Kamel Al-Wazir minister of transport, Manal Awad minister of local development and environment, and Badr Ahmed Abdel Aaty minister of foreign affairs.

Samar Mahmoud Ibrahim was appointed deputy foreign minister for international cooperation, while Mohamed Fattah was named deputy foreign minister for African affairs.

The changes also included Mohamed Farid Saleh as minister of investment and foreign trade, Abdel Aziz Hassanein Qansoua as minister of higher education and scientific research, and Randa Ali Al-Manshawy as minister of housing, with Walid Abbas Othman and Ahmed Emran appointed as her deputies.

Raafat Abdel Aziz Hindi was appointed minister of communications and information technology, Diaa Rashwan minister of information, Salah Suleiman minister of state for military production, Hani Hanna Aazer minister of parliamentary affairs, Mahmoud Mohamed Al-Sharif minister of justice, Gihane Zaki minister of culture, Ahmed Rostom minister of planning, Hassan Raddad minister of labor, Gohar Nabil minister of youth and sports, and Khaled Hashem Maher minister of industry.