Telecom Egypt has announced the appointment of Tarek Abou Alam, senior vice president of the company's international and wholesale department, as its new chief executive and managing director. Abou Alam will take up the position on 19 January. Mohammed Abdel Rehim, the landline monopoly 's current chief, will leave his post on 18 January, the date he reaches retirement age. Abdel Rehim and Telecom Egypt's board of directors were the target of TE workers' in October when the company saw sizeable labour protests. TE's workers' ire and dissatisfaction, which translated into large labour protests last October. TE employees accused management of corruption and causing financial losses for the company. They also demanded the revision of the salaries of the company's higher-ranking officials. A partial strike was undertaken by some staff in October, but TE's operations were largely unaffected, except for disruptions in its directory service. TE shares gained 2.34 per cent during Sunday trade on Egypt's stock exchange.