Egypt's military leaders endorse al-Sissi for president

By Nehal El-Sherif, dpa
27.01.2014

Cairo (dpa) - Army chief Abdel Fattah al-Sissi was one step closer to becoming president of Egypt after receiving the endorsement of the military leadership on Monday.

In July, it was al-Sissi who announced the ouster of Islamist president Mohammed Morsi, the country's first freely elected leader, after millions took to the streets demanding his overthrow.

Members of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) gave their approval to al-Sissi's presidential bid after meeting for several hours.

SCAF said in an audio statement aired on state television that it "could only look up with respect to the desire of the great people of Egypt for the candidacy of General Abdel Fattah al-Sissi, which it considers as a mandate and an obligation."

The council says al-Sissi should act "according to his national conscience and bear the responsibility he was called for."

The green light from the top military brass came hours after the army chief was honoured by interim president Adly Mansour with a rare promotion to the rank of Field Marshal.

Although he is yet to announce his candidacy, al-Sissi enjoys broad support and is regarded by many as the only person able to pull Egypt out its political and economic crises.

Tens of thousands gathered in central Cairo at the weekend, on the third anniversary of the 2011 revolt that toppled long-time ruler Hosny Mubarak, to pressure al-Sissi to run for the post.

Al-Sissi earlier this month gave his clearest indication yet of where his political future lies.

"If I nominate myself, this should come after demands from the people and a mandate from the army," he said at a military ceremony in Cairo.

Pro-army groups have launched a series of campaigns in recent months, collecting petitions for al-Sissi to run in this year's presidential election.

Egypt will hold presidential elections before parliamentary polls, but no specific dates have been announced.

Deposed president Morsi, meanwhile, faces four trials on charges of inciting the murders of protesters and harming national security. His trial on charges of escaping prison during the uprising that ousted Mubarak starts Tuesday.

Morsi had appointed al-Sissi as his defence minister in 2012 to replace Mubarak loyalist Hussein Tantawi, who led the country for a year and a half after Mubarak's downfall.

Since Morsi's toppling, security crackdowns on his Islamist supporters left hundreds killed and thousands arrested, and his Muslim Brotherhood was declared a terrorist group.

Militants have increasingly targeted security facilities in different provinces.

However, critics warned that the heavy-handed security measures are now being turned on secular and liberal activists who oppose military rule.

On Sunday nine rights group criticized "the repressive policies of the regime," adding that "the mechanisms of a police state will not restore stability or security."

At least 50 people were killed and dozens arrested on Saturday in clashes between police and protesters.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Ziad Bahaa Eddin announced he has resigned in order to "resume his political, party and legal activity outside the government." The resignation was dated January 23.

Bahaa Eddin said in a statement that his decision came after a new constitution was passed earlier this month, signalling the end of a "key phase of the road map, where it was important to preserve unity and overcome all odds."