Sisi taps military chum to reform Egypt's railways

Egypt's fourth transportation minister in eight years vows to transform the country's dangerously dilapidated rail system, but some Egyptians wonder why a man with such a strong military background was selected for the job.
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Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi listens to national anthems during a welcoming ceremony for French President Emmanuel Macron at the presidential palace Cairo, Egypt, Jan. 28, 2019. - The Egyptian Presidency/REUTERS
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A correspondent in Egypt
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CAIRO — President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has chosen the head of Egypt's Armed Forces Engineering Authority, Lt. Gen. Kamel al-Wazir, to replace Hisham Arafat as transportation minister. Hisham resigned just hours after a Feb. 27 train crash in Cairo killed 22 people and left dozens wounded.

The decision reflects Sisi’s confidence in the military establishment, with which he has been engaging in all of his administration's mega development projects.

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