CAIRO, Feb 26 (Aswat Masriya) Egypt's new prime minister began consultations over forming the new cabinet on Wednesday, informed sources told Aswat Masriya.

Mahlab was appointed prime minister on Tuesday after the resignation of Prime Minister Hazem el-Beblawi's government on Monday. Belawi's government did not announce the reasons behind its resignation.

He said in a press conference on Tuesday that it was likely that the new cabinet would be formed within three or four days.

Mahlab added that some ministries would be merged. Sovereign ministries will be assigned by the president, as stipulated by the newly-approved constitution.

Mahlab was a housing minister in Beblawi's cabinet, which was formed in July following the ouster of Islamist President Mohamed Mursi after mass protests against his rule.

He was also an active member of the National Democratic Party, which was dissolved after the toppling of autocrat President Hosni Mubarak in 2011.