Al-Sisi promoted to field marshal prior to resignation and presidential bid

Egypt’s interim President Adly Mansour has promoted Defence Minister General Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi to the rank of field marshal, according to reports on state television on Monday. Other media reports clam that the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) will meet to discuss Al-Sisi’s candidacy for the upcoming presidential elections.

According to Saudi Arabia’s Okaz newspaper, Al-Sisi is expected to announce his resignation from his ministerial role and his intention to run for president. The presidential election is expected to be held in March.

El-Hayat newspaper quoted an Egyptian source as saying that the decision to run has been taken following the support for the new constitution which, it is claimed, demonstrates a “desire” by the people for the coup leader to stand as a candidate for the presidency.

“The source revealed that Al-Sisi has set an agenda in consultation with his supporters, reflecting the wishes of the people,” said El-Hayat. His agenda will be the basis of the agreement between him and the people that Al-Sisi will seek to implement if he is elected president.