Egypt military rulers ‘vow’ cabinet reshuffle

EGYPT’S ruling military council has promised to reshuffle the cabinet, hours after the Muslim Brotherhood-led parliament suspended sessions to protest the panel’s failure to heed repeated calls for the government’s dismissal.Saad el-Katatni, parliament speaker and Muslim brotherhood member, said he received a call from the ruling generals promising to announce a reshuffle within 48 hours.Although the concession fell short of the parliament’s demand for a whole new cabinet, the speaker said the call restored parliament’s “dignity”.The Muslim Brotherhood-led parliament, which seated three months ago, has been demanding it be allowed to form a cabinet to replace the military-appointed one it accuses of inefficiency.The ruling generals, who have the power to sack the government, have resisted the calls and hinted at times that they will not allow the Brotherhood to dominate the country.That resistance has also prompted the suspension of parliament sessions.El-Katatni, announced the suspension after legislators spoke in a televised session against the cabinet and the ruling generals.“It is my responsibility as speaker of the People’s Assembly (parliament) to safeguard the chamber’s dignity and that of its members. There must be a solution to this crisis,” el-Katatni told legislators before he adjourned the session until May 6.Anger against the country’s military rulers also spilled into the streets where a protester was killed late on Saturday outside the Ministry of Defence.Protesters clashed for three hours with unidentified assailants supporting the military, throwing rocks, firebombs and glass bottles at each other.The clashes took place when the unidentified assailants set upon the protesters. Neither army troops or police attempted to stop the street battle, witnesses said.They also reported hearing gunshots.Many of those outside the Defence Ministry were supporters of an ultraconservative group angered by his disqualification from running in next month’s presidential election.