Egyptian Cabinet Changes Not Enough for Protesters

By Nicholas Zifcak
July 21, 2011

The Egypt ruling military council swore in a new Cabinet Thursday, with more than half of the Cabinet ministers new to their posts. The move aims to appease protesters who are demanding a purge of Mubarak’s old allies.

The ministers of foreign affairs, finance, and trade were all switched out. The new minister of trade and industry, as well as the minister of communications were both promoted from within their departments.

"This will calm people a little but it is still not enough because … people expected changes in the interior and justice ministries," said Adel Soliman, who spoke with Reuters. He is head of the Egyptian think tank International Center for Future and Strategic Studies.

"It is obvious that the prime minister does not have full authority to change them and he is under pressure."

Interior Minister Mansour el-Essawy kept his post, as did Justice Minister Abdel Aziz al-Gindi, who protesters have accused of delaying the trials of former regime officials.

Protesters continued to demonstrate in Tahrir Square Thursday despite the shake up. Many were disappointed to see certain ministers with alleged ties to Mubarak retain their posts.

Source: The Epoch Times.
Link: http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/world/egyptian-cabinet-changes-not-enough-for-protesters-59389.html.