CAIRO, Dec 21 (Aswat Masriya) – Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi issued a decree appointing a new director of the Egyptian General Intelligence Services to replace Mohamed Farid al-Tohamy, a security source said.

The 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.

The presidency is yet to issue an official announcement regarding the new intelligence director’s appointment.

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.