Egypt names new prime minister

Ibrahim Mehlib, a former construction company head, will replace Hazem el-Beblawi, who resigned Monday

By AP 25 February 2014, 5:16 pm

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This aerial image made from an Egyptian army helicopter shows a general view of a pro-military rally marking the third anniversary of the uprising that toppled autocrat Hosni Mubarak in Tahrir Square in Cairo, Egypt, January 25, 2014. (AP/Hassan Ammar)

Egypt’s interim president has chosen as prime minister a construction magnate from the era of ousted autocrat Hosni Mubarak.

Adly Mansour on Tuesday named Ibrahim Mehlib, who had for more than a decade led Egypt’s biggest construction company, Arab Contractors, to replace Hazem el-Beblawi, who resigned on Monday.

Many saw the move as paving the way for military chief and Defense Minister Field Marshal Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi to run for the presidency and to defuse mounting popular anger at the government’s perceived failure to revive the economy and improve services.

El-Sissi must leave the military if he is to run for president.

Mehlib told reporters Tuesday that his cabinet members will be “holy warriors” in the service of Egyptians. He said he would form his cabinet within three days.