Beblawi: Egypt's army-backed government resigns

Published February 24th, 2014 - 10:40 GMT
Apparently the decision was made after a 15-minute long cabinet meeting. (AFP/File)
Apparently the decision was made after a 15-minute long cabinet meeting. (AFP/File)

 

Egyptian Prime Minister Hazem el-Beblawi confirmed that the government has resigned on Monday, according to Reuters news agency. 

Citing an unnamed source, state-run Al Ahram newspaper said on its website on Monday  the decision was made after a 15-minute meeting of the cabinet.

Army chief Field Marshal Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who is expected to run for president, was part of the cabinet, serving as defense minister.

In an interview with Al Arabiya News in January, interim Prime Minister Hazem el-Beblawi was asked whether Egypt was returning to military rule following the army-backed ouster of Islamist President Mohammad Mursi last year.

“This is something people have in their minds, in their imagination. I’ve been in the cabinet for about six months, I haven’t felt any time that I am run by the military people,” he said.

“I told you my conviction and I promised prior to my assuming a public office, that I think Egypt after January 2011 is immune to military dictatorship and military rule. On the contrary, people are much more in command than ever before.”

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