CAIRO, Feb 24 (Aswat Masriya) The Egyptian government resigned on Monday, Prime Minister Hezam el-Beblawi said in a press conference. 

Ibrahim Mehleb was appointed to form the new government, a state newspaper said. 

The interim government was formed last July following the army's ouster of Islamist President Mohamed Mursi in response to mass demonstrations against his rule. 

The resignation comes a few months ahead of presidential elections that will be held in the first half of this year which Defense Minister Abdel Fattah al-Sisi is expected to run for. 

Field Marshal al-Sisi gained wide popularity last year after the ouster of Mursi of the Muslim Brotherhood. 

Sisi, 59, is expected to win by a majority if he entered the upcoming presidential race.