BREAKING NEWS

Egypt presidential hopefuls turn down cabinet jobs

CAIRO - Egyptian Prime Minister designate Kamal al-Ganzouri said on Wednesday he was in talks to form a new government after five presidential candidates turned down invitations to join his cabinet.
Egypt's army rulers picked Ganzouri to replace Essam Sharaf, whose interim government quit last week during clashes between riot police and protesters demanding the military quit power that left 42 people dead and 2,000 wounded.
It was not immediately clear why the five presidential hopefuls refused cabinet posts, but joining a government that could last months or even weeks may hurt their presidential campaigns by associating them with a leadership many oppose.
"I have spoken with five of the colleagues who are running for the presidency and tried to convince them to join the new cabinet but they declined, along with two other popular figures," Ganzouri told reporters on Wednesday.