EGYPTIAN President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi asked interim Prime Minister Ibrahim Mahlab to form a new cabinet today.

Former construction magnate Mr Mahlab has served in the post for five months, but stepped down after the president was sworn in — an Egyptian parliamentary custom.

But the ex-field marshall asked him to return for a new term, promising a more stable future after three turbulent years for Egypt.

Meanwhile, police said yesterday that they’d arrested seven men in connection with the sexual assault of a woman during celebrations marking Mr Sissi’s inauguration in Tahrir Square.

Videos posted online showed a mob surrounding the student during Sunday’s celebrations and stripping her naked before she was rescued by other members of the crowd and police.

The attack came despite a new law extending the definition of sexual harassment and setting a minimum one-year jail term for the crime alongside a fine of at least 3,000 Egyptian pounds (£250).

A video of a journalist reporting on the sexual assaults in Tahrir has also caused a furore after a the studio host was heard responding with laughter and commenting: “Well, they were happy.”