Egypt’s Al-Sisi to Run for Presidency

Local Editor

Egypt's top military commander Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said in comments published in Kuwait Thursday that he has decided to run in the presidential election scheduled for April.

"Yes, the matter has been decided and I have no choice but to respond to the call of the Egyptian people," al-Sisi told Kuwait's al-Seyassah newspaper when asked if he has decided to run for presidency.

He further said: "The call of the people has been heard everywhere and I will not reject it. I will seek a renewal of confidence of the people through free voting."

"I say it with all sincerity: God knows that I carry the burden of this trust, and I am all hopes that the achievements will match [their] dreams. It is no secret that people's aspirations and wishes have become massive after the recent disappointment," he added.

Al-Sisi's announcement comes a week after the country's top military council decided that he must run for the presidency which he is assured to win after ousting the democratically elected leader in July.

The top general, wildly popular for overthrowing Brotherhood president Mohamed Mursi, is now expected to resign as army chief before he officially becomes a candidate in the election scheduled to be held by mid-April.

The army's decision came after a weekend in which dozens were killed in street clashes between Mursi's supporters and police and militant attacks, underscoring the difficulties al-Sisi will face.

With no obvious candidates so far competing in the race, al-Sisi's chances of becoming the country's next president are high.

If he wins, he will be the sixth general to rule Egypt, with Mursi being the only civilian to have filled the post.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team