Egypt's army council names Ganzouri prime minister
Egypt's ruling military council appointed Kamal Ganzouri on Friday as prime minister to form "a national salvation government" to replace the cabinet which resigned this week.
Ganzouri confirmed his appointment to Reuters by telephone. "Everything will be outlined later," he said, declining to give any details about who might be appointed in his new cabinet.
The formation of a national salvation government is one demand of protesters calling for an end to army rule. Their protest against the military council which took power from deposed President Hosni Mubarak entered its eighth day on Friday.
Meanwhile, the United States demanded Friday a speedy handover of power to a civilian government in Egypt, giving it real authority immediately.
In a written statement, White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said the administration of President Barack Obama believed "that the full transfer of power to a civilian government must take place in a just and inclusive manner that responds to the legitimate aspirations of the Egyptian people, as soon as possible."
The White House statement said that the United States strongly believed that "the new Egyptian government must be empowered with real authority immediately."
"We believe that Egypt's transition to democracy must continue, with elections proceeding expeditiously, and all necessary measures taken to ensure security and prevent intimidation," the statement went on to say.
Carney recalled that the United States had condemned the "excessive use of force" against demonstrators and called for restraint on all sides.
He said the United States deeply regretted the loss of life during these protests and urged the Egyptian authorities "to implement an independent investigation into the circumstances of those deaths."
But he added that the situation in Egypt required "a more fundamental solution, devised by Egyptians," which would be consistent with universal principles.
The press secretary assured that the United States will "continue to stand with the Egyptian people as they build a democracy worthy of Egypt's great history."