El-Sisi tells ministers to set example to nation
Ahram Online, Tuesday 17 Jun 2014
Prime Minister Ibrahim Mahlab says cabinet members will be in their offices from 7am each working day


President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi has given clear instructions to his new ministers, Prime Minister Ibrahim Mahlab told reporters on Tuesday.

The new ministers took their oath of office at 7am on Tuesday and then sat with the president for a meeting that lasted several hours.

Mahlab said El-Sisi's instructions were to build a strong modern state that reflects the will of the people in their two revolutions: 25 January 2011 and 30 June 2013.

The premier said the cabinet had a number of challenges that must be tackled without delay.

He added that El-Sisi had ordered a monthly cabinet meeting to evaluate the implementation of his plans.

Mahlab said all ministers would be in their offices by 7am each day to set an example to Egyptians. The cabinet will be working 24 hours a day so citizens will feel a genuine change, he added.

The cabinet, according to Mahlab, has three aims: tackling urgent measures, completing the 'roadmap' by holding parliamentary elections, and "grand plans, ambitions and visions translated into strategies."

El-Sisi emphasised the importance of fighting corruption, rationalisation of expenses, eradicating nepotism, and making best use of the nation's resources.

El-Sisi's told ministers to restore security to the streets and organise traffic.

He also instructed finance ministry officials to enforce the maximum wage without exception.

Mahlab said El-Sisi had ordered a complete revision of human rights legislation. "This country cares about human rights and will protect them."

Ending his speech, Mahlab said Egypt was being powered by the "will of the people and the vision of its leader."

The new government – the third since the ouster of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in July 2013 – retains 21 ministers, one of whom will hold a new portfolio, and introduces 13 new ones.

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