By ARIEH O'SULLIVAN
Eerily similar to the Israeli precedent, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has just appointed an Air Force general as the next military chief of staff, Defense News reported.
Lt.-Gen. Sami Anan, the commander of Egyptian air defense forces, was chosen to replace Maj.-Gen. Hamdi Wahiba who has held the job for the past four years, Defense News said.
Mubarak, a former Air Force commander himself, appointed Anan to the post last week.
Wahiba, who was once tipped as a possible candidate for a new post of vice president, is expected to serve as head of Egypt's Arab Industrial Authority.
Israel for the first time named an air force general as IDF chief this year.