Egypt's new culture minister, Dr Saber Arab, accepted the job because everyone must do their duty, even if the role lasts only two weeks, he told the Al-Ahram Arabic website Friday.

Arab, who replaced Shaker Abdel-Hamid following Thursday's cabinet reshuffle, said he hoped Egypt would get through the transitional phase and reap the fruits of democracy once a new president is democratically elected.

A professor at Al-Azhar University, Arab was president of the National Book Organisation before he retired last year.