Egypt’s military rulers swore in a new Cabinet on Tuesday. Energy veteran Eng. Mahmoud Latif, formerly known as the head of the Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company (EGAS), became the new Petroleum Minister.

Latif faces many challenges in the Egyptian transitional government. Soon after Sameh Fahmy took over in October 1999, he reshuffled the board of Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC) and appointed Latif to the post of Vice Chairman for Natural Gas.

Latif was a key figure in implementing Egypt’s integrated gas strategy and was the head of many petroleum companies including the Egyptian Natural Gas Company (GASCO), the General Petroleum Company (GPC) and Badr El Din Company (BAPETCO). In a later stage, Latif was appointed as the chairman of the state-owned Egypt Natural Gas Holding Co (EGAS).

Latif graduated in June 1974 with a degree in petroleum engineering from the Engineering Faculty of Cairo University. He then joined Gulf of Suez Petroleum Company (GUPCO) in the beginning of his professional career and was appointed in a later stage as the assistant to the president of Khalda Company.