Brotherhood tightens grip on power
Sunday 06 January 2013
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EmailEgyptian Prime Minister Hesham Qandilr reshuffled his cabinet today, reinforcing the Muslim Brotherhood's grip on the government.
New Finance Minister Morsy Hegazy - described as "brother to the core" by the Egypt Independent - will be plunged into negotiations for a £2.9 billion loan deal with the IMF.
Talks are due to resume tomorrow after being suspended during unrest caused by the vote on the Islamist constitution last month. President Mohammed Morsi feared the inevitable austerity strings attached to the deal would add to mounting unrest.
The reshuffle takes the number of Brotherhood members in the cabinet from six to 10, as well as giving jobs to a number of fellow travellers.
The opposition National Salvation Front also showed signs of splitting today.
State-owned paper Al-Gomhurriya reported that the front is considering fielding two separate lists in upcoming parliamentary elections.
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