Egyptian PM, cabinet resign

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi on Saturday accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Ibrahim Mahlab and his cabinet.

The cabinet had met earlier on Saturday and decided to submit their resignation to the president, Al Ahram news reported.

The president reportedly ordered the cabinet to continue carrying out their current responsibilities until a new cabinet is formed.

Mahlab's cabinet has faced a number of public challenges in recent weeks.

Last week, Agriculture Minister Salah Helal was forced to resign and then arrested on charges of corruption.

There have also been unconfirmed reports that other ministers in Mahlab's cabinet might also be investigated over corruption charges.

Following the agriculture minister's resignation, media reports suggested that other ministers might be replaced.

However, officials insisted there were no plans for a cabinet reshuffle in the immediate future.

Protests by thousands of government employees against a controversial law regulating the civil service have also continued to dominate headlines in recent weeks.