REPORT: Egypt's top military body approves Sisi running for president

Egypt's top military council has given the army chief, Field Marshal Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, a green light to run for president, a security source told Reuters. "The top army officials all okayed Sisi running for the presidency," said the source.

Sisi is expected to announce his candidacy within days. Earlier, Egyptian army chief Abdel Fattah al-Sisi was promoted to the rank of field marshal.

The presidency announced General Sisi's promotion without giving details.

"The decision was expected and it is the first step before the resignation of the general and his candidacy announcement which is now expected very soon," said a security official. Sisi, who toppled Islamist president Mohamed Morsi last year, is widely expected to contest the election due within six months, and win easily.    

Sisi has become hugely popular since the military takeover. Supporters see him as a decisive figure who can tackle unrest that has gripped Egypt since the 2011 uprising that toppled autocrat Hosni Mubarak.     

On another note, Egypt's Deputy Prime Minister Ziad Bahaa El-Din tendered his resignation to Prime Minister Hazem el-Beblawi on Monday, Bahaa El-Din said in a statement posted on his Facebook page.   

"(Bahaa El-Din) indeed tendered a written resignation from his ministerial position to the prime minister this morning so he can resume his political, party and legal activity outside the government," the statement said.   

Bahaa El-Din also held the post of minister of international cooperation in Egypt's army-backed interim government.


REUTERS


To watch the full report, please click on the video above