Egypt's parliamentary affairs minister has quit his post, local media reported on Friday, the third resignation in the country's government amid reports of an imminent cabinet reshuffle.
Mohammed Mahsoub said he was stepping down because "many policies and efforts contradict my personal convictions," according to the resignation letter published by his Islamist al-Wasat party.
Communications Minister Hany Mahmoud resigned earlier this week, following the December 22 resignation of Vice President Mahmoud Mekki.
The state-run al-Akhbar newspaper reported that Prime Minister Hisham Qandil has been holding talks with those nominated to hold cabinet portfolios, as part of President Mohammed Morsi's plan to reshuffle the government ahead of a parliamentary election expected early next year.
Meanwhile, Egypt's public prosecutor ordered a probe into the top three leaders of the opposition on suspicion of trying to incite followers to overthrow Morsi.
The probe targets Nobel peace prize laureate Mohammed ElBaradei, and former presidential candidates Amr Moussa and Hamdeen Sabahy. They lead the country's main opposition alliance, the National Salvation Front, which alleged fraud in this month's constitutional referendum.
The move is expected to increase political tension in the country, which saw street deadly protests earlier this month.
Morsi is expected to address the upper house of parliament, or the Shura Council, on Saturday.