The new Egyptian government was sworn in on Thursday before President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi. Members of the new government, headed by former Housing Minister Mustafa Madbouly, took the oath of office before Sisi at the presidential palace in Cairo. Sisi made key changes in the new government, including new Defense Minister Mohammed Ahmed Zaki to replace Sedki Sobhi. Sobhi had held the post since taking over from Sisi when he ran for the top office in 2014, a year after spearheading the ouster of President Mohammed Morsi during mass protests. The position of interior minister was filled by General Mahmoud Tawfiq, who had led the national security apparatus since October 2017, replacing Magdi Abdel Ghaffar. Mohamed Ahmed Mohammed Moeet, who has previously held several government posts in various ministries, replaced Amr el-Garhy in the key role of finance minister. Egyptian authorities are implementing a sweeping economic reform program that prompted the International Monetary Fund to approve a three-year, $12-billion loan in November 2016. Other changes included the ministers overseeing aviation, health, communications, environment, commerce and agriculture. Sisi appointed Madbouly to form a new government after former premier Sherif Ismail submitted his governments resignation in keeping with political tradition that the government should resign at the start of a new presidential term. Sisi was sworn in earlier this month for a second, four-year term in office.