Al-Azhar Grand Imam Sheikh Ahmed El-Tayeb has appealed to protesters who are staging a sit-in in front of the Cabinet headquaerters to give an opportunity to the newly-appointed Cabinet led by Kamal El-Ganzouri to work and attend to the country's economic needs.

Sheikh El-Tayeb, in a press release, appeals to protesters to give an opportunity to Ganzouri’s government to “proceed with its responsibilities”, calling on protesters to “put Egypt’s interest forward” hinting that they suspend their sit-in.

Protesters have staged a sit-in in front of the Cabinet headquarters near Tahrir Square after five-day long clashes between security forces and protesters in Mohamed Mahmoud Street starting 19 November when security forces attempted to violently break up a protest in Tahrir Square

The police action sparked public anger leading to mass protests demanding the immediate transition of authority from the ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces to a civilian government.

Protesters at the Cabinet have declared their rejection of the appointment of El-Ganzouri as premier, while they are sceptical that his government will enjoy effective powers.