Prominent Egyptian poet Farouq Goweida, chosen on Monday to serve as adviser to President Mohamed Morsi, will make Egyptian arts and culture his top priority despite the current lack of clarity regarding his mandate, Al-Ahram's Arabic-language news website has reported.
"My responsibilities as consultant to the president remain unclear," Goweida was quoted as saying. "But cultural affairs and general freedoms are my priority."
He went on to stress the importance of freedom of expression and the need to rebuild Egypt's identity on the basis of new cultural approaches.
"The current Egyptian mindset, and all cultural issues, represents a threat to Egypt's future and the nation's revival," Goweida was quoted as saying.
Earlier on Monday, Morsi spokesman Yasser Ali revealed the names of Morsi's presidential team, including four presidential assistants and 17 advisors, including Goweida.
Short link: