Egypt's foreign minister has resigned and the prime minister has appointed two deputies, in the first steps toward a sweeping Cabinet reshuffle aimed at appeasing protesters.

Prime Minister Essam Sharaf on Saturday accepted the resignation of Mohammed al-Orabi, who was seen as too close to the government of ousted president Hosni Mubarak.

Mr. Sharaf also appointed a leader of one of Egypt's oldest political parties and an economist to be his deputies. The prime minister is expected to announce his new Cabinet by Monday.

Protesters have camped out in central Cairo's Tahrir Square for more than a week demanding speedier reforms.

Earlier Saturday, an Egyptian ruling military council member cut short his visit to Tahrir Square after he was heckled by demonstrators.

Witnesses say chanting protesters drowned out General Tareq al-Mahdi as he tried to address the group.

Tahrir Square was the epicenter of protests that led to Mr. Mubarak's resignation in February.