No Egyptian cabinet reshuffle planned: Spokesman

Egypt’s government has quashed reports of a forthcoming reshuffle that came in the wake of the supply minister’s resignation on Thursday, saying that only the ministry will be affected.

Egypt’s Minister of Supply Khaled Hanafi resigned Thursday amid a high-profile corruption case involving probe into whether millions of dollars allotted to subsidising farmers were misappropriated.

“No propositions have been made to carry out ministerial reshuffle at other ministries,” cabinet spokesman Hossam Qaweesh said Thursday on CBC television channel.

“Only a reshuffle at the supply ministry is on the table,” he said.

Prosecutors are currently probing whether reports of a bumper wheat crop may be the result of foul play, Qaweesh said, adding that no accusations have yet been levelled at the outgoing minister.

Minister of Trade and Industry Tarek Kabil has been tasked with managing the supply ministry until a new minister is named.

“Experience has proven that being in authority… is no longer a picnic or a (source of) booty,” resigned minister Hanafi said as he announced his resignation on state television.

Countering accusations against him that included using EGP 7 million in state funds to maintain a residency at a five-star Cairo hotel, Hanafi said he has been the victim of a “mafia.”

Source: Ahram Online