Egypt swears in first cabinet since Morsi ouster, army chief al-Sisi appointed deputy PM

CAIRO - Agence France-Presse / Reuters

The new government, sworn in July 16, is led by Prime Minister Hazem el-Beblawi, an economist, and features the promotion of Defence Minister Gen. Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi, who ousted Mohamed Morsi on July 3, to deputy prime minister. Al-Sisi also retains the defence portfolio. AP photo

Egypt's first government since the military deposed President Mohamed Morsi almost two weeks ago was officially sworn in on July 16.

The 35-member cabinet, including caretaker prime minister Hazem al-Beblawi, individually took their oath before army-appointed interim President Adly Mansour.

Army chief Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, the general behind the popularly backed coup that toppled Morsi on July 3, was appointed first deputy prime minister and minister of defence.

A former ambassador to Washington, Nabil Fahmy, took the post of foreign minister, while Mohamed Ibrahim, who served as interior minister in Morsi's government, retained his job.

There are three women ministers in the new cabinet, including health minister Maha El-Rabat. One of the women is a Coptic Christian.

Muslim Brotherhood: New cabinet 'illegitimate'

Meanwhile, the Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood denounced the new cabinet sworn in by interim President Mansour as "illegitimate."

"It's an illegitimate government, an illegitimate prime minister, an illegitimate cabinet. We don't recognise anyone in it. We don't even recognise their authority as representatives of the government," spokesman Gehad El-Haddad told Reuters.