CAIRO, Dec 21 (Aswat Masriya) – Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi issued on Sunday a decree sending to retirement the director of the Egyptian General Intelligence Services, Mohamed Farid al-Tohamy.

Sisi appointed Khaled Fawzy, head of the National Security Authority, as acting director of general intelligence.

Tohamy was granted the Order of the Republic for "his efforts throughout his career," as per the presidential decree.

Fawzy swore the republican oath as acting director of the General Intelligence Services on Sunday, reported state-run news agency MENA.

Sisi appointed Tarek Sallam as deputy director of the General Intelligence Services; he also swore the oath on Sunday.

A security source, who preferred to remain anonymous, told Aswat Masriya on Saturday that Tohamy's replacement is owed to his "difficult health condition", which he has suffered for two months.

Tohamy sought medical treatment abroad, the source added, which necessitated he be replaced. The source denied the existence of any security reasons behind his replacement.

Former Interim President Adli Mansour had appointed Tohamy as director of the General Intelligence Services on July 5, 2013, shortly after taking power.

Tohamy served as head of the Administrative Control Authority before he was dismissed by ousted Islamist President Mohamed Mursi in September 2012.