The new Egyptian government, formed by Prime Minister Hazem al-Beblawy, was sworn in Tuesday, July 16, 2013. It doesn’t include Islamists, but comprises instead several pro-US figures, in particular former ambassador to Washington Nabil Fahmy (Foreign Affairs), and a former World Bank executive, Ahmad Galal (Economics). It should be pointed out, however, that the Ministry of Defence is in the hands of General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who deposed President Mohamed Morsi (Muslim Brotherhood), on July 3.

According to the Israeli army radio, the day before Vice President for Foreign Relations, Mohamed ElBaradei, had made a 5-hour trip to Tel Aviv, accompanied by military leaders.