Egypt's Prime Minister Mahlab Asked to Form New Government

Ibrahim Mahlab, Egypt's Prime Minister, has been asked by Egypt's President to form a new government a day after the interim cabinet member, Hazem Beblawi unexpectedly resigned.  Beblawi did not give a reason for his government's resignation. Mahlab has told local media that he plans on finding ways to stop strikes, boost employment and production, and restore calm to the country. "Restoration of security and national unity of the Egyptian people are indispensable to move forward towards improving the living conditions of Egyptian families," says Mahlab.  Before becoming housing minister, Ibrahim Mahlab was chairman of Arab Contractors, a state-owned construction company that is one of the biggest in the Middle East. He was a senior official in ousted President Hosni Mubarak's former ruling National Democratic Party and was appointed to the now-disbanded upper house of parliament, the Shura Council, in 2010.