Egypt taps new spy chief

CAIRO, Egypt — Key regional mediator Egypt replaces the head of its powerful state intelligence agency, local media reports, appointing a new chief, Hassan Rashad.

Abbas Kamel, a close ally of President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi and his former chief of staff, has held the post since 2018. He held the role of the main Egyptian mediator in talks between Israel and Hamas.

Kamel will now take up the post of presidential advisor and envoy, as well as general coordinator of security services, according to state-aligned media Extra News. It is unclear if he will maintain his role as mediator in the Gaza talks.

The switch-up comes as Egypt finds itself surrounded by regional conflict.

For over a year, it has failed alongside fellow mediators Qatar and the US to achieve a ceasefire and hostage deal in the Israel-Hamas war, which has since spread into Lebanon.