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| Egypt’s Prime Minister and Cabinet Abruptly Resign | |
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| CAIRO — Prime Minister Hazem el-Beblawi abruptly announced the resignation of his government on Monday, after seven turbulent months of trying to contain Egypt’s political unrest and growing criticism of the cabinet’s performance. | CAIRO — Prime Minister Hazem el-Beblawi abruptly announced the resignation of his government on Monday, after seven turbulent months of trying to contain Egypt’s political unrest and growing criticism of the cabinet’s performance. |
| Mr. Beblawi was installed as prime minister last July by the military soon after it ousted the country’s Islamist president, Mohamed Morsi. His resignation on Monday fueled speculation that it was intended to clear the way for Field Marshal Abdul-Fattah el-Sisi, the defense minister and the dominant figure in the government, to announce his candidacy for president. | Mr. Beblawi was installed as prime minister last July by the military soon after it ousted the country’s Islamist president, Mohamed Morsi. His resignation on Monday fueled speculation that it was intended to clear the way for Field Marshal Abdul-Fattah el-Sisi, the defense minister and the dominant figure in the government, to announce his candidacy for president. |
| The interim government led by Mr. Beblawi has faced persistent questions about its authority and legitimacy ever since it was installed. During its tenure, the military and the security services embarked on a ferocious campaign to suppress Mr. Morsi’s supporters and other rivals and foes, resulting in the worst mass killings in modern Egyptian history. | The interim government led by Mr. Beblawi has faced persistent questions about its authority and legitimacy ever since it was installed. During its tenure, the military and the security services embarked on a ferocious campaign to suppress Mr. Morsi’s supporters and other rivals and foes, resulting in the worst mass killings in modern Egyptian history. |
| Despite infusions of cash from Persian Gulf states meant to prop up Egypt’s economy, a wave of labor strikes emerged as the latest challenge to Mr. Beblawi, affecting a number of crucial groups, including police officers, textile workers, doctors and transportation employees. | Despite infusions of cash from Persian Gulf states meant to prop up Egypt’s economy, a wave of labor strikes emerged as the latest challenge to Mr. Beblawi, affecting a number of crucial groups, including police officers, textile workers, doctors and transportation employees. |
| Even though the government was under considerable pressure, one minister said the announcement came as a complete surprise. It was made after a cabinet was convened a day earlier than had been scheduled. “I walked in this morning; the resignation statement was read; I left,” the minister said. | Even though the government was under considerable pressure, one minister said the announcement came as a complete surprise. It was made after a cabinet was convened a day earlier than had been scheduled. “I walked in this morning; the resignation statement was read; I left,” the minister said. |
| Speaking on television afterward, Mr. Beblawi complained about the strikes and “personal interests.” He also said, “This is the time to put the country’s interests above everyone.” | Speaking on television afterward, Mr. Beblawi complained about the strikes and “personal interests.” He also said, “This is the time to put the country’s interests above everyone.” |
| While he allowed that the government had not achieved “complete success” in his tenure, he asserted that the state’s “prestige” had been restored, mentioning the ratification of a new constitution. | While he allowed that the government had not achieved “complete success” in his tenure, he asserted that the state’s “prestige” had been restored, mentioning the ratification of a new constitution. |
| “The police and the armed forces impose the power of law on everybody,” he added. “That doesn’t mean that there aren’t disruptions here and there, but this is a normal in a fierce confrontation with a side that doesn’t want good things for the country.” | “The police and the armed forces impose the power of law on everybody,” he added. “That doesn’t mean that there aren’t disruptions here and there, but this is a normal in a fierce confrontation with a side that doesn’t want good things for the country.” |
| It was not immediately clear who would replace the ministers who had resigned. State news media reported that they would continue to oversee their ministries until a new government was seated. | It was not immediately clear who would replace the ministers who had resigned. State news media reported that they would continue to oversee their ministries until a new government was seated. |
| Field Marshal Sisi, who is seen as Egypt’s most popular political figure, has yet to formally declare that he will run for president, but people who have met with him recently speak of his candidacy as a foregone conclusion. When an Egyptian delegation visited Russia this month, President Vladimir V. Putin wished Field Marshal Sisi luck in his campaign. | Field Marshal Sisi, who is seen as Egypt’s most popular political figure, has yet to formally declare that he will run for president, but people who have met with him recently speak of his candidacy as a foregone conclusion. When an Egyptian delegation visited Russia this month, President Vladimir V. Putin wished Field Marshal Sisi luck in his campaign. |