Egypt's new cabinet sworn in

Military Council Chief Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi instates Kamal Ganzouri as new PM; new government to enjoy 'extended powers'

Roee Nahmias, AP|Published: 12.07.11 , 18:48

Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi, Egypt's military ruler, has sworn-in the new Egyptian cabinet on Wednesday, saying it will have more powers than its predecessor.

Tantawi promised to transfer some of the Military Council's executive powers to newly appointed Prime Minister Kamal Ganzouri.

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The Military Council's statement did not go into specifics as to what new powers the new government will have, but said that it will continue to control the judiciary and the armed forces.

Tantawi's Military Council has been serving as Egypt's de-facto rulers since President Hosni Mubarak stepped down in February.

The new government replaces an interim administration that resigned in the wake of deadly clashes between security and protesters last month.

The people have spoken. Egypt's elections (Photo: AFP)

According to Egypt's State television, 12 members of the previous cabinet retained their position in the new government, including Egyptian Foreign Minister Mohammed Kamel Amr and Minister of International Cooperation Fayza Abul Nagaa.

The new cabinet features 18 new MPs.

Prior to being sworn in, Ganzouri was granted some presidential powers. Tantawi's choice of Ganzouri, made after interim PM Essam Sharaf resigned, was met with civil protests.

Ganzouri, 78, served as prime minister under Mubarak from 1996 to 1999.

On Tuesday, Ganzouri promised he will "never use force to remove protesters," and pledged "to make security and revitalization of the national economy top priorities for his government."