President Mohamed Morsi has authorized Prime Minister Hisham Qandil to carry out a cabinet reshuffle and to take necessary measures to meet the requirements of the coming stage, presidential spokesman Yasser Ali said.

In statements on Thursday 27/12/2012, the spokesman said that the incumbent government will continue to be carrying out its duties until the reshuffle takes place after the end of talks between the president and the premier on the necessary changes.

Ali noted that Morsi thanked the resigned vice-president, Mahmoud Mekki.

Mekki had said that his resignation was due to the fact that the new constitution does not stipulate a vice president post.

Ali called on all political powers to take part in a national dialogue held by the president for the sake of serving the higher national interests.