"This is evident in their fights with the Economy Ministry about pay hikes in which the ministry has won every time."

An increase in orders for October was also revised slightly downwards to 5pc from 5.2pc, according to the figures released by the Economy Ministry.

Abdesellam himself took responsibility for the Economy Ministry, as had Ghozali before him.

A statement issued by the Economy Ministry said that "paying these bonds would imply special treatment of some creditors over others."

He also served in the Economy Ministry at the period when Greece joined the euro in 2001.

Ukraine's Economy Ministry expects the economy to grow 3.5-4.0 percent in 2008.

He himself, however, never garnered an appointment to the powerful Economy Ministry, despite having been frequently considered for the post.

However, separate figures from the Economy Ministry showed that industrial output fell 0.6% in November.

Telephone calls to the Economy Ministry seeking comment were not returned on Sunday.

A spokesman for the Economy Ministry declined to comment on the building amnesty law and said no government officials were available to comment.