Egypt's Revolution Youth Union accused President Mohamed Morsi of being "confused" and making a mistake in choosing former irrigation and water resources minister Hisham Kandil as his new premier because Kandil's specialisations are not in line with what the country currently needs, in a press statement Wednesday.

The youth group maintained that Egypt's flailing economy, rising unemployment rate and lack of security were the three issues that the new prime minister would have to tackle. "All these concerns were not considered when Kandil was appointed," they concluded.

Mohamed Saeed, general coordinator of the union and member of the Constituent Assembly, said that the Nile Basin initiative, an agreement between countries bordering the Nile to prevent conflicts over water resources, is of great importance but should not be the sole reason that a particular premier is chosen.

"We haven't witnessed a significant advancement in the issue during Kandil's period as irrigation and water resources minister in the last two consecutive governments," Saeed said, adding that Kandil can boast of no important achievements that would qualify him for his current post.

Official spokesman of the union, Tamer El-Qady, commented on Kandil's relationship with Morsi's presidential "Renaissance" program, saying that in order to achieve the goals of the national project it would have to be properly managed by the president.

The union also referenced rumours that Morsi may take on the powers of prime minster and run the government, while Kandil would effectively be left without any real authority.

The statement ended by admitting that the president is ultimately accountable for his choice of prime minister and is responsible for whether his government is able to alleviate the suffering of Egyptian citizens and solve the country's economic problems.

Ahram

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