Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi appointed Islamists to key posts in his government this weekend.

Morsi swore in 10 new ministers in total, bringing new parts of Egypt's government under Muslim Brotherhood control. He handed the role of finance minister to an Islamic finance expert.

Reuters reported Morsi is taking steps to rebuild confidence in Egypt's economy ahead of a visit from the International Monetary Fund.

The country's currency value has plunged more than 10 percent since the 2011 uprising swept the Muslim Brotherhood into power. Egypt is seeking a $4.8 billion loan from the IMF to stop the currency crisis.

Meanwhile, Egypt's minority Coptic Christians are celebrating their first Christmas since the adoption of the country's new Islamist constitution.

Christians converged on Cairo's main cathedral Sunday for midnight mass on the eve of Orthodox Christmas, led by their newly elected pope.

But many Copts are leaving the country as Islamists gain more control and persecution rises. Coptic Christians make up about 10 percent of Egypt's 85 million people.