Egypt's Finance Minister Hazem el-Beblawi, who was appointed by the ruling military council after popular protests earlier this year, has resigned, officials and media say.
Mr Beblawi, who was also deputy PM, quit over the government's handling of a Christian Coptic protest on Sunday, they said.
It ended in clashes between the army and protesters in which 25 were killed.
The ruling military council has ordered a swift inquiry into the violence.
Grievances
"Despite the fact that there might not be direct responsibility on the government's part, responsibility lies, ultimately, with the government," state news agency Mena quoted Mr Beblawi as saying.
"The current circumstances are very difficult and require a new and different way of thinking and working," he said.
His resignation came as members of the Coptic Christian community began a three-day fast to mourn those killed.
The ruling military council, which was handed the power to govern by President Hosni Mubarak before he was ousted in the popular revolt, is in temporary charge of the country while elections are organised.
The Copts, who make up about 10% of Egypt's 85 million population, have a number of grievances against the interim administration.
They say the authorities have been slow to punish radical Islamists who have attacked their churches.
Sunday's protest was sparked by the burning down of a church in the southern Aswan province last month.
About 2,000 people gathered in Cairo for an initially peaceful rally to protest against its destruction. But fighting soon broke out, involving protesters, residents and troops.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
Resolve your feud over $100m gold mine within 7 days – Minister orders Azumah Resources, Engineers & Planners
36 seconds -
Economic Governance Platform launches report on Sustainable Debt Management in Ghana
6 minutes -
USAPEEC concludes 7th national training programme and cooking competition
7 minutes -
DMV Party In The Park 2025 postponed due to permit delays
15 minutes -
Galamsey: Prestea Blue Water Guards destroy 8 chanfang machines, seize 8 pumping machines
16 minutes -
10th Ghana Amateur Ladies Open tees off at Centre of the World Golf Club in Tema
31 minutes -
Prof. Peter Quartey cautions Ghanaian youth against calls for military rule
59 minutes -
Nine prison inmates receive scholarships to Jackson University College
1 hour -
Savings and loans sector records 27% growth in lending amidst low NPL rate
1 hour -
Devastating Ahodwo fire displaces over 200 slum dwellers
1 hour -
Government recapitalizes NIB with GH₵1.4bn; ADB, CBG set for 2026
2 hours -
Ghana’s Chef Abbys makes TIME’s 100 Most Influential Creators list
2 hours -
Small Scale Miners Association Chair arrested for confronting anti-galamsey taskforce in Desiri Forest
2 hours -
Stakeholders demand transparent laws to curb corruption and ease business burden
2 hours -
Six arrested over alleged ritual murder at Mafi Adidome
2 hours