Egypt’s army chief, who has made no secret of his intention to stand for president despite not yet announcing his candidacy, remains defense minister in a new cabinet sworn in Saturday

Egypt's army chief, who has made no secret of his intention to stand for president despite not yet announcing his candidacy, remains defense minister in a new cabinet sworn in Saturday.
  
Field Marshal Abdel Fattah al-Sisi retains the defense portfolio in the new line-up led by Ibrahim Mahlab, a former member of ousted strongman Hosni Mubarak's ruling party.
  
The cabinet, which is tasked with organizing the presidential election, is expected to work in Sisi's favor, after the previous government faced mounting criticism for failing to tackle a floundering economy and worsening industrial unrest. A majority of the 31-member cabinet also served in the previous administration led by Hazem al-Beblawi.
  
One of his aides told AFP this week Sisi is expected to stay on as defense minister until an electoral law has been passed.