PROFILE: Mubarak's premier reinstated in post-revolutionary Egypt
Author: Nehal El-Sherif
Cairo (dpa) - Once known as "the minister of the poor," Kamal al-Ganzouri was appointed on Friday by Egypt's military rulers as the new prime minister, with a mandate to lead a transitional cabinet until June.
Previously a minister of planning and international operation, he served as prime minister from 1996 to 1999, during which he was also called "the opposition minister."
The two titles show how people believed he represented the working and middle classes.
"Appointing al-Ganzouri is great appreciation," wrote one internet poster on the "Yes to Kamal al-Ganzouri president for Egypt" Facebook page.
But the sentiment was tempered with caution, noting that al-Ganzouri could be walking into a lion's den, taking on a job that is bound to draw criticism and which bars him from running for the presidency.
"It is also a 'political assassination' by the military council," wrote the same poster, who remained optimistic.
"We are confident that he is up to the responsibility and will not accept semi powers."
In 1999, al-Ganzouri was sacked from his post just as liberalization initiatives were losing momentum. At the same time, a currency crisis shook the confidence of foreign investors in Egypt.
He stayed out of the public eye until a popular revolt ousted president Hosny Mubarak earlier this year.
"I believe that a prime minister should not ask permission from the president, and a minister should not ask permission from the premier, and they would be responsible for their decisions," al-Ganzouri, 78, told a recent TV interview.
"I was a real prime minister and not a secretary of Mubarak," he added, referring to why he was removed from his post.
Al-Ganzouri is remembered for the controversial Toshka project, which began in 1997 in southern Egypt with the aim of creating a new agricultural community and expanding arable land by 10 per cent. Yet, most of the land was later sold to Arab investors and a single national company.
Al-Ganzouri has put the blame on the regime of Mubarak for the delay in implementing the project.
During his term in the 1990s, he also focused on strengthening ties between Egypt and the World Bank and International Monetary Fund.
A Facebook page was established in February, in the wake of Mubarak's fall, supporting him to become a president, although he never said he would run for office.
Though he remains popular with many Egyptians, protesters in Tahrir Square have criticized him because he served during Mubarak's rule. Others say he is not fit for the post due to his age.
"I remember al-Ganzouri, he was National Democratic Party man," wrote an Egyptian on Twitter, referring to Mubarak's now disbanded party. "He is not the right man for this point of history."
For the coming seven months, al-Ganzouri is to face the daunting challenges of restoring security in Egypt, curbing crime rates and revitalizing the economic growth.
It remains to be seen what titles he'll earn this time around.
