Sisi accepts resignation of Egyptian government

Egypt's Prime Minister Ibrahim Mahlab and his cabinet resigned on Saturday, the presidency said, days after the agriculture minister was arrested over corruption.

"The prime minister handed the government's resignation to the president who accepted it," a statement said without giving a reason for the resignation.

President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi asked Mahlab to stay on as caretaker prime minister until a new government is formed, the statement added.

Sisi's office said now former oil minister Sherif Ismail has been asked to form the new cabinet.

The announcement came amid preparations by Egypt to hold long-delayed legislative elections in phases from 17 October to 2 December.

The elections had initially been scheduled for early 2014 but were delayed on legal grounds amid charges from rights groups of repressive measures during a crackdown on the Islamist opposition.

On Monday, the prime minister's office announced that agriculture minister Salah Helal had been arrested after being told to step aside on the orders of Sisi in connection with an investigation into corruption.

Rumours had been circulating in the past week that a major cabinet reshuffle that could include up to nine ministers was in the works.