Egypt denies the resignation of Sharaf

The Egyptian government has denied the news reported by some websites that the Prime Minister Essam Sharaf has resigned. Mohammad Hejazi, the spokesman for the Egyptian Council of Ministers confirmed on the 19th of July, that the Prime Minister has been advised to rest by doctors after completing medical tests, which pointed to ill health resultin from extreme stress. Hajzi added that Sharaf's state of health is stable, and reassured that the Prime Minister will continue with talks to complete the re-shuffle of the ministers. He added that Sharaf has issued instructions to the current ministers to initiate the task, and to manage the ministries until the new ministers take their oaths. Ahmed Al-Samman, media adviser to the Egyptian Prime Minister, confirmed that Sharaf will remain in office, calling the reports that he had resigned "rumours”, and stating that “their proliferation is contributing to the tense situation in the country."