President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi assigned former petroleum minister Sherif Ismail to form an new interim government, following the resignation of prime minister Ibrahim Mehleb’s cabinet.

Ismail is expected to form a new government within a week.

Al-Sisi accepted Mehleb’s resignation early on Saturday, according to a presidency statement.

The statement added that Al-Sisi praised the efforts of Mehleb’s government in the latest period.

Several ministers in Mehleb’s government faced accusations of corruption, which sparked rumours of a possible reshuffle. Last week former agriculture minister Salah Helal was arrested on accusations of a corruption case inside the ministry.

More to follow