Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has replaced his prime minister and forced the resignation of his entire governing cabinet. The long-awaited cabinet reshuffle by President Mubarak, who has governed since 1981 and can only be said to be democratically elected in the loosest sense of the word, are expected to be the first step towards major economic, social, and political reforms in the economically stagnating North African nation.
Ahmed Nazief, the virtually unknown former state information minister, was appointed the new Prime Minister and was given 24 hours to form the new Cabinet. The outgoing Prime Minister, Atef Obied, had served in the position for four years, during which only a few of the reforms supported by President Mubarak and his son (and likely heir) were implemented.
The appointment of Mr. Nazief, a proficient but politically unconnected administrator, is said to be typical of President Mubarak, who has always been careful to keep real political power for himself alone.
» ABC News: Egyptian cabinet resigns; Mubarak appoints new prime minister
» AP: Egyptian Prime Minister, Cabinet Resigns
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