Egyptian military's role in economy likely to be reduced after 2-3 years - PM

Egypt's Prime Minister Sherif Ismail attends a ceremony to sign military contracts with French Prime Minister Manuel Valls (unseen) at the Ittihadiya presidential palace in Cairo, Egypt, October 10, 2015. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh

CAIRO (Reuters) - The role of Egypt's military in the economy is likely to decrease in two to three years, Prime Minister Sherif Ismail said in a television interview with CBC. President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, a former military general, has promised to revive the economy after assuming office in 2014 and has called in the army to help keep a lid on prices. Over the past year, army vans have begun roaming the country selling cheap groceries and military outlets have popped up. "I imagine it will be two to three years," said Ismail when asked when the military's role may decrease. (Reporting by Ali Abdelaty; Editing by Richard Balmforth)