EGYPT NAMES NEW ANTIQUITIES CHIEF

Egypt Prime Minister Essam Sharaf has appointed Mohamed Abdel Fattah, of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, to replace Zahi Hawass, the embattled antiquities minister who lasted just months in the position after allegations of corruption and a too-cozy relationship with ousted leader Hosni Mubarak, the New York Times reports. Sharaf has demoted the position back to secretary general, which is what the title was before Mubarak raised its status to that of ministry after Hawass took control.

Abdel Fattah is expected to play a quieter role in the government than his predecessor. So far he’s said only that he plans to clamp down on corruption and finish ongoing construction projects, according to the Times. Hawass, who is making a living through speaking engagements, is reportedly under investigation by federal prosecutors in Egypt.

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