Egypt's president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi swears in new government, keeps ministers in key posts
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Egyptian president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has kept his finance, investment and interior ministers in a new government sworn in today as he tries to rebuild an economy battered by Islamist militant violence.
Mr 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, state news agency MENA reported.
Mr Mullah succeeds Sherif Ismail, seen as one of the best performing ministers, who became prime minister.
The new government faces a multitude of challenges.
The Islamic State terrorist group, 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 Morsi 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 Mr Sisi's economic reforms have won praise.
Reuters
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