Hours after the resignation of the cabinet, Hani Yonis, media assistant to former prime minister Ibrahim Mehleb, said Saturday that his duties in the cabinet have ended.
When asked for a reason, Yonis said that due to “close ties” with Mehleb he would not be able to continue in his position. Yoni, originally an assistant to Mehleb when he served as housing minister, was transferred to the cabinet after the appointment of Mehleb.
Hossam El-Kawish, spokesperson of the cabinet, told reporters Saturday that Mehleb met with other ministers requesting them to keep working in their positions until a new cabinet is formed.
Earlier Saturday, President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi assigned petroleum minister Sheirf Ismail to form a new interim government, following the resignation of Mehleb’s cabinet.
Ismail is expected to form a new government within a week.
Al-Sisi accepted Mehleb’s resignation early on Saturday, according to a presidency statement.
Additional reporting by Mohamed Ayyad
