Egypt's Interior Ministry announced a massive reshuffle of the police force on Wednesday, saying about 600 officers would be removed.

The ministry says 37 officers accused of killing protesters during the anti-government uprising that led to former President Hosni Mubarak's resignation in February are among those being let go.

The announcement follows renewed protests by reformists who have been urging the interim government to move faster in purging and prosecuting Mubarak-era police officers and government officials linked to corruption.

In a separate development Wednesday, a media watchdog group criticized Egypt's reinstatement of its information ministry, saying the move is a “setback for media freedom” in the country.

The Committee to Protect Journalists said in a statement that the ministry is not suitable for reforming Egypt's media industry because of its history as an arm of former President Mubarak's government.

The information ministry was seen as a propaganda tool for Mr. Mubarak, and was abolished shortly after he stepped down in February.

The country's ruling military council reinstated the ministry last week and appointed a new information minister.

Thousands of activists have been camping out in Cairo's Tahrir Square since last Friday, refusing to leave until their demands are met. Anti-government activists also have staged sit-ins in the cities of Alexandria and Suez.

Egypt's military-appointed Prime Minister Essam Sharaf offered several concessions to the protesters in recent days. Tuesday, he accepted the resignation of Deputy Prime Minister Yahya el-Gamal, after reformists said he should be removed.

He also pledged Monday to reshuffle his Cabinet within a week. But, that pledge drew a dismissive response from Cairo protesters who said it lacked guarantees and detail.