Egypt's new cabinet was sworn in before the head of the ruling army council on Wednesday, state television reported, after successive delays as Prime Minister KamalAl-Ganzouri struggled to form a competent team.

The country's military rulers brought veteran politician Al-Ganzouri out of retirement to lead a new interim government nearly two weeks ago. Its predecessor resigned during clashes between police and protesters demanding the army quit power.    

He named an interior minister on Wednesday, rounding off the key appointments to the new cabinet which will face the dual challenges of restoring security to the restive nation and reversing an economic slump.

Earlier, Egypt's army rulers issued a decree handing some presidential powers to the prime minister, but kept control of military affairs and the judiciary, the official news agency said.

The military, in charge since leader Hosni Mubarak was overthrown in February in a popular uprising, has been under pressure to speed a promised transition to civilian rule.

Meanwhile, the Muslim Brotherhood said it had won most seats in an opening round of run-offs in Egypt's staggered parliamentary vote, consolidating its lead over rival liberals and hardline Salafi Islamists.

The Brotherhood's Freedom and Justice Party (FJP), which has promised to work with a broad coalition in the new assembly, secured 34 individual seats out of the 45 it contested in the run-offs on Monday and Tuesday, a party source told Reuters. Official results are not expected until Thursday.

A total 56 individual seats were up for grabs in the first round of the election, with others assigned to party lists. Two more rounds follow, with the last run-off set for mid-January. - Reuters