Egypt’s new Prime Minister Kamal El-Ganzouri met with Field Marshal Tantawi, head of Egypt’s ruling military junta, on Thursday to discuss his new cabinet. He also met potential new ministers.

El-Ganzouri was expected announce his cabinet on Thursday but this was delayed until Saturday. He blamed the delay on his desire to hear multiple points of view from different political parties, forces and government ministries. He also admitted that various well-known public figures had turned down cabinet posts.

Prominent media figures Adel Hammouda and Magdy El-Gald both turned down the interior minister post, whilst the actor Mohamed Sobhy refused the culture minister post.

The position of deputy prime minister for political affairs will be abolished after five prospective presidential candidates and two prominent public figures turned down the job.

On Wednesday, El-Ganzouri announced his government would comprise of 32 ministries, including a newly founded Ministry for the Revolution’s Injured and Martyred, in addition to the reinstated Ministry of Food Supply and Ministry of Youth and Sport.

There are also unconfirmed reports that the Ministry of Antiquities will be reinstated.

State TV denied that any of the names circulating is confirmed, and announced that El-Ganzouri is still doing consultations.

Sources online speculated that Police General Mohamed Ibrahim was front runner for the interior minister post after he met with El-Ganzouri on Wednesday. Ibrahim has been head of Alexandria’s security directorate and the Egyptian Interpol. 

El-Ganzouri is expected to include a number of Sharaf government ministers in his cabinet. 

Various political forces and groups reject the El-Ganzouri government and demand the military junta form a government of national salvation with full political powers.