Egypt's newly appointed cabinet is expected to be sworn in and replace the government of outgoing Prime Minister Ibrahim Mahlab next Saturday, Al-Ahram daily newspaper reported.

The cabinet will be headed by ex-petroleum minister Sherif Ismail, whose appointment was announced last Saturday following Mahlab's resignation.

Media outlets had reported that the cabinet was expected to take the oath in front of President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi on Thursday; however, discussions between El-Sisi and Ismail are still ongoing.

El-Sisi had earlier said that a new ministry will be formed within one week of Mahlab's resignation.  

Anonymous sources told Al-Ahram daily newspaper that the ministers of defence, justice, and sports and youth will remain in their positions, stating that no other potential ministers have been contacted to fill in their positions.

Ismail has stated that the Egyptian president is stressing that the priorities of the new government should be improving public services, developing and implementing a programme to achieve immediate economic development, as well as addressing the fuel crisis and focusing on developmental projects in the new Suez Canal.

The president has ordered Mahlab's cabinet to continue carrying out its current responsibilities until the new cabinet is formed.

Mahlab's cabinet faced a number of publicised challenges in recent weeks, with Agriculture Minister Salah Helal being forced to resign before he was arrested on charges of corruption.

There have also been unconfirmed media reports that other ministers in Mahlab's cabinet may be investigated on corruption charges.