A new Egyptian interior minister took office on Sunday vowing to restore public confidence in the security apparatus a day after protesters stormed several state security buildings. On their part, the authorities called to return documents taken by the protesters when they stormed the buildings in raids over the weekend, saying it was important they be returned to preserve "national security."
According to the state MENA news agency, the new minister Mansur al-Issawi stated he would take "all necessary measures to restore confidence between citizens and the police." He also promised to make "every effort in the coming period to restore security and stability in the Egyptian street."
Newly appointed Prime Minister Essam Sharaf named Issawi late on Saturday. He replaces Mahmud Wagdi.
The prime minister's office and the state prosecutor appealed to citizens on Sunday to return the documents. "Important and urgent: Appeal to the citizens to return all documents or papers taken from the headquarters of the state security to the army due to the dangerous nature of their contents," a statement posted on the premier's official Facebook page said.
