Anxious over months of turmoil in Egypt, military officers are pushing popular army chief Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to run for president, after a 2011 popular uprising had inspired hopes for democratic change in a country long dominated by generals.
Sisi ousted Egypt's first freely-elected president, Mohamed Morsy, the man who appointed him, in July after mass protests against the Islamist leader's rule.
Since then Egypt, whose political transition has repeatedly stumbled, has been rocked by near-daily protests, bombings and clashes in which hundreds have died in the worst civil violence in the nation's modern history.
A military man back in power would alarm international human rights groups and Western allies such as the United States, and raise the prospect of more violence by Sisi's foes.
"In accordance with international law, we view any process undertaken after the coup as illegitimate and unrepresentative of the Egyptian people," said Salma Ali, a media relations officer in London for Morsy's Muslim Brotherhood.
Senior military officers have over the past three months told Sisi of their fears about the political upheaval in a series of meetings, army sources said.
"We told him that we need to maintain stability. He is needed for Egypt and the people love him and want him. Besides, who else can run but him? There is no one else as popular as him," said one army officer, who asked not to be named.
President Hosni Mubarak, a former air force commander, often cited "stability" as a concern as he crushed dissent for 30 years until his fall. He threw opponents in jail, including members of the Muslim Brotherhood and other Islamists.
The anti-Mubarak revolt, led by liberal activists joined by Islamists, had raised hopes of civilian democracy after six decades of rule by military men. But the army, which installed a government after Morsy's fall, is running the show again.
Since the military takeover, human rights groups have accused security forces of widespread abuses. Hundreds of Islamists have been killed in protests and clashes and thousands jailed, including Morsy and other Brotherhood leaders.
But the measures have failed to end unrest, and attacks by Islamist militants in the Sinai Peninsula near Israel have risen sharply since Morsy's downfall. The turmoil has hammered tourism and investment in the most populous Arab state.
SISI MANIA
Yet Sisi has emerged as a popular figure. Posters of him with past Egyptian military heroes who became presidents are ubiquitous. Chocolate bars moulded to his likeness and jewelry carrying his image are sold on the streets.
Many Egyptians believe Sisi would win if he ran for the presidency.
An army major said he and many of his colleagues back Sisi.
"We disagree in politics all the time. We had different views under Mubarak and under Morsy but now we are unified on Sisi," he said.
In media interviews, Sisi has sent mixed signals on whether he would run, first saying he does not seek power, and more recently keeping the possibility open.
Several military officers interviewed by Reuters noted that Sisi has become more receptive to the idea over the past month.
"Before he used to say 'No way'. Now he says 'Let's wait and see… If that's what the country needs and the people want, we can't let them down'," another senior officer said.
"Until now he has not given a direct answer about whether he would run but we can tell he is listening to us and not dismissing the idea."
PROMISES OF DEMOCRACY
Sisi appeared on national television the night he toppled Morsy on July 3 and announced a political roadmap designed to bring elections by early next year.
The interim government chose a 50-member committee to re-write a constitution that was passed by a referendum last year.
The army, which has a representative on the committee, has pressed for special privileges for the armed forces, such as the power to choose the defence minister, committee members say.
Sisi, the former head of Mubarak's military intelligence, has said he would stay out of the state's affairs. But he regularly meets with leading Egyptian and Arab officials.
"I'm worried about a possible army return to power given the signs I'm seeing on the streets. The army will either run (a candidate) directly or back a candidate," said human rights activist Gamal Eid, describing Sisi as a "real politician".
When Egypt celebrated the October 6 war anniversary, it was Sisi, not the interim president, who addressed Egyptians. In an impassioned speech he promised to make Egypt a world leader, during a ceremony reminiscent of those held in the Mubarak era.
"Don't you think that will happen? It will. But that needs patience and loyal work," said Sisi, seen weeping as he listened to patriotic songs.
Although Egyptians elected Morsy, many became disillusioned with the Muslim Brotherhood during his one-year rule. Morsy was accused of seeking sweeping powers, sidelining opponents and mismanaging the economy, allegations his Brotherhood denies.
Many people see the military as the only option. Liberals and leftists are deeply divided and weak and have failed to establish an effective grassroots presence. Some have even said they would endorse Sisi as president.
A youth and liberal activists campaign said it had collected 15 million signatures for petitions urging Sisi to run for president.
Saad Eddin Ibrahim, a prominent activist who spent several years in jail under Mubarak, endorsed the campaign and described Sisi as Egypt's "saviour from darkness".
Although the number of signatures could not be verified, Sisi's popularity is palpable on the streets.
"I love Sisi. He is my president whether he runs or not. He is young, tough and also religious. He is like all Egyptians in one," said Mona Ahmed, a 63-year-old housewife.
Sisi, 58, is often compared to army officer-turned- president Gamal Abdel Nasser, a popular nationalist who toppled the British-backed monarchy in 1952.
"The army does not want power and neither does General Sisi, but for the sake of Egypt, its national security and stability at this critical stage, compromises need to be taken and tough decisions need to be made," another army officer said.
"If the people want that and there is no other option but for General Sisi to run, then he should do it."
