Key Egyptian ministers 'retained'

Nazif is one of Egypt's youngest prime ministers

Key Egyptian ministers will retain their posts in a new cabinet line-up, a state-owned newspaper reported.

Al-Ahram said Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif will appoint seven new ministers, while 11 ministers will leave, including some ruling party veterans.

The reshuffle comes after the National Democratic Party won more than 70% of seats in parliamentary elections.

Correspondents say the reshuffle will consolidate the influence of reformists close to President Hosni Mubarak's son.

Gamal Mubarak heads the NDP's policy unit, and his high-profile political activities have been strongly criticised by pro-democracy groups who say he is being groomed to succeed his father.

'Sovereign ministries' unchanged

Al-Ahram reported that the most important feature of the reshuffle would be that those in the "sovereign ministries" - defence, foreign affairs, interior, and justice - would retain their posts.

The paper noted that the "economic group of ministers" - finance, investment, foreign trade, and international co-operation - would also remain.

Several prominent businessmen are also reported to have been included in the cabinet.

The most significant omission appeared to be the former minister of parliamentary affairs, Kamal al-Shadhili, who has been a senior party official and member of parliament for many years.

Mohammed Ibrahim Sulaiman and Mamduh al-Biltagi, the construction and youth ministers, are also set to be replaced.