Newly-inaugurated Prime Minister Hisham Qandil has appointed Major General Ahmed Gamal Eddin as the head of the interior ministry.

Gamal Eddin was one of the aides of former interior minister Mohamed Ibrahim, as well as head of public security authority, responsible of gathering information.

The interior ministry is one of the highest-profile positions in the Cabinet.

Several media reports have circulated that the delay in announcing the new Cabinet members was partly due to the conflicts in the negotiations on the highest-profile ministries; those of the interior, defence, communication and finance.

The interior ministry has a tarnished history in Egypt; accused by human rights groups of torture and rough treatment of citizens.

Qandil was appointed by President Mohamed Morsi on Friday.

The 34 new ministers will be swearing their oath to Morsi Thursday.