Egypt's new cabinet sworn in after deadly clashes

CAIRO: Egypt's first interim government since the military toppled president Mohamed Morsi two weeks ago was sworn in Tuesday, after deadly clashes between the security forces and the deposed president's supporters.

The Muslim Brotherhood, the influential movement from which Morsi hails, immediately rejected the 35-member cabinet, with spokesman Gehad El-Haddad telling AFP: "We don't recognise its legitimacy or its authority".

None of the newly appointed ministers are affiliated to any religious party or movement, with the Brotherhood and the ultra-conservative Al-Nur party having both spurned calls for them to participate.

Army chief Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, the general behind the popularly backed coup that overthrew Morsi, was appointed first deputy prime minister and minister of defence in the government headed by liberal economist Hazem al-Beblawi.

The swearing in ceremony took place after overnight clashes in the heart of Cairo and in adjacent Giza, in which officials said seven people were killed and 261 wounded.

Hundreds of protesters were also arrested.

Egypt has been rocked by a wave of deadly attacks since the coup, with the latest deaths bringing to more than 100 the number of people killed, according to an AFP tally of confirmed deaths.

Egypt's interim presidency has urged all of the country's political forces, including the Brotherhood, to take part in national reconciliation efforts.

But the Brotherhood has refused to play any part in the caretaker government unveiled on Tuesday, which included three women ministers and three Coptic Christians.

Analysts underlined the size of the challenges facing the new administration, especially in the face of bitter opposition from Morsi supporters.

Egypt's budget deficit, reforming the interior ministry, establishing the rule of law and restoring security in the Sinai peninsula were among the pressing issues for the new government, said analyst Samer Shehata. (AFP)