New governors refuse to accept posts in Egypt

Credible sources in Egypt have claimed that at least 10 new governors to be appointed by the government have asked to be relieved of the posts even before they take office. Egyptian Minister for Local Development Major General Adel Labib has said that the appointments have been made as part of a reshuffle which is expected to be announced formally in the middle of January. According to Al-Masri Al-Youm newspaper, there are 30 new nominees for governorship positions.

Labib said that the new governors have been chosen based on certain criteria, including quality, ability and political awareness. He added that the new governors must be able to deal flexibly with people.

It is Labib, say the anonymous sources, who has been asked by the 10 reluctant governors to speak to the prime minister about their request to be relieved. Two of the nominees are in Greater Cairo, 4 are in the Nile Delta and Coastal governorates and the other 4 are from Upper Egypt.

The newspaper report said that the prospective governors fear that they will be unable to match up to the demands of the people due to the economic crisis affecting Egypt.