Egypt's outgoing prime minister, Ibrahim Mahlab, was appointed Saturday presidential aide for national and strategic projects.

President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi met with Mahlab Saturday and "praised his efforts on a number of big national projects in the last two years," a presiidential statement read.

El-Sisi commended Mahlab and his former cabinet's efforts during "hard and critical times."

Last week, El-Sisi accepted Mahlab's resignation and appointed the petroleum minister in Mahlab's cabinet, Sherif Ismail, as Egypt's new prime minister.

Mahlab was appointed prime minister in February 2014 by then-Interim President Adly Mansour following the resignation of Hazem El-Beblawi.

In June 2014, El-Sisi — newly elected president — retained Mahlab as premier.

Mahlab's cabinet has faced a number of public controversies in recent weeks.

Last week, Minister of Agriculture Salah Helal was forced to resign and then arrested on charges of corruption.

Protests by thousands of government employees against a controversial law regulating the civil service have also continued to dominate the headlines in recent weeks.