[QODLink]
Middle East
Egyptians unimpressed by cabinet reshuffle
Many Egyptians say changes irrelevant since the real decision-making power lies in the hands of the army.
Last Modified: 18 Jul 2011 19:02



Egypt's prime minister has reshuffled his cabinet following mounting pressure from protesters in Tahrir Square and elsewhere in the country.

The demonstrators blame Essam Sharraf's government for the slow pace of reform and for not being serious enough about putting members of the old regime on trial.

Many Egyptians say the changes to the cabinet are irrelevant since the real decision-making power in the country lies in the hands of the supreme military council.

Some analysts say the reshuffle is at best a change of names rather than policy, Dr Rabab el-Mahdi, a professor of political science at the American University in Cairo, said: "For one, they kept some of the ministers who served under Mubarak, like the minister of international co-operation and environment.

"Secondly, the new appointments also included names from the NDP [the former ruling party], like the minister of education."

The swearing in of the new cabinet has been postponed until Tuesday.

Al Jazeera's Sherine Tadros reports from Cairo.

Source:
Al Jazeera
Topics in this article
People
Country
City
Organisation
Featured on Al Jazeera
Al Jazeera's exclusive publishing of a key Guantanamo prison military document lays bare the brutality of force-feeding.
Former military official says poverty and anger in indigenous communities mean conditions for an "insurgency" are ripe.
A four-part series that gives a rare insight into the country on the move, with history in tow.
Series on the Palestinian 'catastrophe' of 1948 that led to dispossession and conflict that still endures.
Featured
A four-part series that gives a rare insight into the country on the move, with history in tow.
Series on the Palestinian 'catastrophe' of 1948 that led to dispossession and conflict that still endures.
Two years since the start of the uprising, rebels and Assad's forces remain locked in conflict.
China aims to expand its influence in the resource rich area.
Extensive coverage of war crimes tribunals and controversial calls for blasphemy laws.
join our mailing list