Egyptian Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawi will keep his post as defense minister in the country's first government since former President Hosni Mubarak's resignation last year.

Officials announced on Thursday that Tantawi would be part of the new Cabinet chosen by Prime Minister Hisham Qandil. Tantawi, a hold-over from the Mubarak era, also ruled the country after the former president's departure.

Other incumbents who will keep their positions in the new Muslim Brotherhood-led administration include Foreign Minister Mohammed Kamel Amr and Finance Minister Mumtaz al-Said.

Prime Minister Qandil served as irrigation minister in the outgoing military-backed government.

President Mohamed Morsi is set to swear in the country's new Cabinet on Thursday.

The transition comes after 18 months of political turmoil and a power struggle between Mr. Morsi and the ruling military that took over when a popular uprising forced Mubarak from office.

The military will retain broad powers until the country elects a new parliament.