Egypt appoints new justice minister

Egyptian interim Prime Minister Hazem al-Beblawi appointed on Sunday Judge Adel Abdel-Hamid as justice minister in the newly-formed transitional government, state-run news agency MENA reported. Abdel-Hamid held the same post last year in the government of former Prime Minister Kamal al-Ganzouri during the temporary military rule, before the election of ousted president Mohamed Morsi. "I will work on guaranteeing independence of the judiciary and enhancing trust between citizens and the judiciary," MENA quoted the new justice minister as saying. Abdel-Hamid added that the justice ministry will play an important role in the legislations required for the transitional stage that the country is going through. Meanwhile, the 34-member interim cabinet held its first meeting on Sunday, chaired by Beblawi and attended by Armed Forces Chief and Defense Minister Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi. The new government will also name a transportation minister, whose appointment is expected to be announced soon.