06/02/2014 11:50
Egypt's Sisi 'to run for president'
Egypt's army chief Field Marshal Abdul Fattah al-Sisi has said he will run for president, the BBC reported, citing a Kuwaiti newspaper.
Asked by the al-Seyassah newspaper if he would be standing, the army chief said he had to meet the wishes of the Egyptian people and run for election.
He had been widely expected to declare his candidacy but there has been no official confirmation from the army.
The army leadership backed him to stand in the election last month, promoting him to the rank of field marshal.
Presidential elections in Egypt are due within six months.
Correspondents say Field Marshal Sisi is expected to win by a landslide if he does indeed become a candidate.
He is hugely popular in Egypt since the army removed Islamist President Mohammed Morsi last July, following mass protests.
Mr Morsi, Egypt's first democratically elected president, is currently in detention and facing four separate trials.
"I will not reject the demand [of the people]," Field Marshal Sisi told al-Seyassah.
"I will present this to the Egyptian people to renew confidence through free voting."