The parliamentary session in which MP's hear the cabinet's programme may not take place this month as previously planned, Minister of Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Magdy El-Agaty told reporters on Thursday.

El-Agaty said that the session, which was expected to take place by the end of February, might be adjourned as the parliament's bylaws had yet to be approved.

"I informed Prime Minster Sherif Ismail of the issue and he did not object," El-Agaty added.

Sources told Ahram Online that the parliament will hold a session on Sunday to start discussing the bylaws and it might take more than one week to do so.

According to Article 146 of the constitution, the president appoints a prime minister who forms a cabinet; the cabinet then presents its programme to the parliament.

A majority vote of confidence in the cabinet and its programme is required within 30 days of its formation.

If a majority vote is not reached, the president appoints another prime minister based on the majority party or coalition. If the parliament does not agree on the plan of the new prime minister, then the House of Representatives is dissolved and new parliamentary elections take place.