Sisi reappoints Mehleb as Egypt’s PM, vows to bring back stability

Egypt's new President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, the country's former military chief, today reappointed Prime Minister Ibrahim Mehleb, signalling continuity as seeks to end political divisions and bring the economy back on track after a long period of turmoil and bloodshed.

Sisi promised to rule Egypt in an inclusive manner after he was sworn in as president on Sunday, but gave no indication that he would seek reconciliation the Muslim Brotherhood of ousted President Mohamed Morsi, whom he removed from power nearly a year ago.

In an inauguration ceremony with low-key attendance by Western allies concerned by a crackdown on dissent, the former army chief called for hard work and the development of freedom "in a responsible framework away from chaos".

In comments carried by the state news agency, Prime Minister Mehleb said the current government would stay on in a caretaker role until he forms a new cabinet. Consultations had not yet begun, he said, although officials have said many of the leading ministers such as finance are likely to be unchanged.

Sisi quit the military in March, but a lower-than-expected turnout in last month's presidential elections fell short of giving him a strong mandate to take tough measures to repair an economy wounded by three years of instability and regular violence which has scared away foreign investors and tourists.

One of the most important figures in Egypt's drive to resuscitate the economy is Finance Minister Hany Kadry Dimian, who is expected to be kept on in the new administration.

As the de facto ruler since last summer, Sisi has driven Mursi's Muslim Brotherhood underground with a crackdown in which hundreds of its supporters have been killed and thousands jailed, polarising the most populous Arab nation.

However, Egypt's oldest and best organized Islamist movement has survived official repression for decades. Sisi also faces a violent threat from militants based in the Sinai Peninsula who are believed to have access to weapons smuggled from Libya. The militants have stepped up attacks on police and soldiers since Mursi's ouster.