Prime Minister Hazem al Beblawi has said a cabinet reshuffle will include the defence ministry, according to a report in Egyptian newspaper Al Masry Al Youm.

It is the clearest sign yet that Field Marshal Abdel Fattah al Sisi plans to stand for president. Army chief Sisi, now defence minister in Egypt's interim government, deposed Islamist president Mohamed Mursi in July and is widely expected to be a candidate and win an election.

Before he can run for president he must step down from his government post.