Sisi keeps Egyptian premier to fix economy after turmoil

CAIRO Newly inaugurated President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi reappointed Egypt’s prime minister on Monday, signalling continuity as he sets out to fix the economy and overcome political divisions after a long period of turmoil and bloodshed.

In comments carried by the state news agency, Prime Minister Ibrahim Mehleb said the current government would stay on in a caretaker role until he forms a new cabinet. Consultations had not yet begun, he said, although officials have said many of the leading ministers such as finance are likely to be unchanged.

Sisi, who as armed forces chief toppled Islamist President Mohamed Mursi last July following mass protests, was sworn in on Sunday in a ceremony with low-key attendance by Western allies concerned by a crackdown on dissent.[ID:nL5N0OP06E]

While Sisi quit the military in March, a lower-than-expected turnout in last month’s presidential elections fell short of giving him a strong mandate to take tough measures to repair an economy wounded by three years of instability and regular violence which has scared away foreign investors and tourists.

Keeping the main ministers in their positions could enable Sisi to move quickly in implementing reform.

Reuters reported on Friday that Western consultants were advising Egypt’s government – including top officials from the ministries of finance and trade, industry and investment – on an economic reform plan which could serve as a basis for restarting talks on a IMF loan deal. [ID:nL6N0ON1KO]

The driving force behind the consulting project is the United Arab Emirates, which along with Saudi Arabia and Kuwait has showered Egypt with billions of dollars in aid since Mursi’s removal.

However, Egypt’s oldest and best organised Islamist movement has survived official repression for decades. Sisi also faces a violent threat from militants based in the Sinai peninsula who are believed to have access to weapons smuggled from chaotic Libya. These have stepped up attacks on police and soldiers since Sisi ousted Mursi.

Mehleb, 65, was appointed prime minister in February after serving previously in housing portfolio. A civil engineer, he is a former chairman of Arab Contractors, one of the region’s largest construction companies, and worked briefly in Saudi Arabia before joining the government following Mursi’s overthrow.

The Egyptian pound strengthened slightly at a central bank sale on Monday to 7.1402 pounds to the dollar from 7.1403 at its last sale on Thursday, and it remained steady on the parallel market.