Informed sources told Asharq al-Awsat newspaper that they have asked Defense Minister Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to announce his candidacy for presidency in the next couple days to reassure Egyptians, rather than waiting for the planned announcement date on Saturday, 25 January.
They explained that he intends to make the announcement before the 25 January anniversary in order to prevent any unexpected violence by supporters of deposed President Mohamed Morsy on the anniversary of the revolution, according to the newspaper. In his speech, Sisi will explain that he is running in response to popular pressure.
Sources said that the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces is likely to hold a meeting within hours to resolve the issue of Sisi’s candidacy. The army is likely to bless Sisi’s intention to run for presidency, the paper anticipated.
In remarks to the Saudi daily Okaz, Amr Moussa, who was a former candidate in the 2012 presidential election and head of the 50-member Constitutional Committee, described Defense Minister Abdel Fattah al-Sisi as “the most popular figure in Egypt today.”
“He will be the front runner in the race to win the presidential election. He has a great chance of winning this election,” he said
Moussa denied the claim that Sisi coming to power would increase the military’s role in political life in the upcoming period. The army, he said, is appreciated and respected by Egyptians since its actions in the January 2011 and June 2013 events proved it to be a vital national institution, although some seek to question that.
Meanwhile, sources in two vital security services said that instructions have been issued to the leaders of civilian blocks to halt campaigns mobilizing masses on 24 and 25 January in Tahrir Square and other areas to celebrate the anniversary of the revolution and the success of the constitutional referendum. The campaigns have also been mobilizing movements demanding Sisi run for president. Security services put a halt to the campaigns out of concern that pro-Muslim Brotherhood supporters would use the events to stir unrest in the country.
Edited translation from MENA and Al-Masry Al-Youm
