Egyptian Military Appoints New PM; Demonstrators Reject Choice

Egypt’s military rulers picked Kamal el-Ganzouri to serve as the country’s new prime minister to head a new cabinet after several days of demonstrations. Ganzouri, who served as ousted President Hosni Mubarak‘s prime minister for several years, asked Egyptians to “give me time” and would not name a new government before Monday’s elections. However, tens of thousands of protesters converged on Tahrir Square, and demanded the ruling military leaders step down and rejected their choice for prime minister. Kamal Abu Eitta, founder and board member of the Egyptian Federation of Independent Trade Unions, dismissed the military’s decision to appoint Ganzouri in an attempt to reach a compromise with protesters by stating ““We are here in the square, and we don’t accept the negotiation with SCAF.”

“Why are they picking Ganzouri now? This shows that the army is unwilling to let go of any power by recycling a former ally. This government won’t have any powers, why else pick someone that is loyal to them,” said protester Mohamed El Meligy, as pro-military demonstrators showed support for the general’s and “stability.” The White House released a statement expressing support of a transfer of power to a civilian government, and stated “the United States strongly believes that the new Egyptian government must be empowered with real authority immediately,” and “most importantly, we believe that the full transfer of power to a civilian government must take place in a just and inclusive manner that responds to the legitimate aspirations of the Egyptian people, as soon as possible.” The European Union echoed the White House’s sentiment of a transfer of power, and condemned the excessive use of force by Egyptian security forces.