Egypt leaders promise cabinet change after lawmakers threaten strike: report
Egyptian soldiers stand guard near a mural of Queen Nefertiti outside a polling station in Minya, some 350 kms south of Cairo, during the third and final round of landmark parliamentary elections on January 3, 2012.
The head of Egypt's ruling military council promised a cabinet reshuffle within 48 hours, an apparent concession to parliament hours after lawmakers announced a strike meant to pressure authorities over the issue, Egypt's state news agency reported, according to Reuters.
Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi's announcement Sunday came after parliament speaker Saad el-Katatni said lawmakers would suspend activities to protest the ruling military and "safeguard the chamber’s dignity and that of its members," reported The Associated Press.
Parliament has been locked in a dispute with Egypt's ruling military over changes to the government appointed by the generals after they took power following the overthrow of longtime leader Hosni Mubarak by popular protest a year ago, according to Reuters.
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It was not immediately clear whether the move would placate parliament. Lawmakers demand that they be a part of the formation of a new cabinet, according to AP, making it unclear whether the reshuffle reportedly promised by Tantawi would suffice.
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The generals in November installed Prime Minister Kamal Ganzouri, who served as prime minister under Mubarak from 1996-1999, as the new head of the civilian government — an appointment that was met with widespread fury.
Tensions between the ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces and the Islamist-dominated legislature have been growing since Egypt held historic parliamentary elections three months ago, according to AP.
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