13 Facts About Hesham Qandil

Hesham Qandil previously served as Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation from 2011 to 2012.

Reuters reported that Hesham Qandil was a politically independent senior public servant in the Morsi administration, but was not popularly considered to be a likely candidate for the position of prime minister.

Hesham Qandil was Egypt's youngest prime minister since Gamal Abdel Nasser's appointment in 1954.

Hesham Qandil was arrested on 24 December 2013 and released seven months later on 15 July 2014 after he was acquitted by the Court of Cassation, which accepted his appeal and annulled the one-year sentence against him.

Hesham Qandil holds a bachelor's degree in engineering, which he obtained from Cairo University in 1984.

Hesham Qandil was granted a presidential award in 1995 for services to irrigation, and was promoted to office director for the minister of water resources from 1999 to 2005.

Hesham Qandil participated in the work of the Nile Basin Initiative, was an observer member of the Joint Egyptian-Sudanese Water Authority, and helped launch the African Water Council.

Hesham Qandil was Chief of Water Resources at the African Development Bank, a position he held for approximately six years, from 2004 to early 2011.

Hesham Qandil returned to Egypt following the revolution to help rebuild the country.

On 24 July 2012, Hesham Qandil was appointed as prime minister by President Mohamed Morsi.

Hesham Qandil's appointment was seen as unexpected by the Arab media, including The Majalla.

On 8 July 2013, Prime Minister Hesham Qandil resigned over the killing of 61 protestors by the military at the Republican Guard headquarters.

Hesham Qandil initially decided to remain in his position as a caretaker PM until the formation of a new government.