CAIRO – Egypt’s army chief Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said Wednesday he had quit the military to run for president, vowing to rid the country of “terrorism” almost nine months after he toppled the elected leader.
Sisi, who was also defence minister, faces no serious competition in the election, likely before June, and is expected to win comfortably riding on a wave of popularity for his law and order message.
He declared his widely anticipated candidacy in a televised address.
“Today, I stand before you for the last time in a military uniform, after deciding to end my service as defence minister and commander of the armed forces,” he said, dressed in his field marshal’s uniform, sitting behind a wooden desk.
“With all modesty, I nominate myself for the presidency of Egypt.
“I will continue to fight every day for an Egypt free of terrorism,” he added.
