Egypt: Prayer prompts Al-Sisi not to run for presidency

Egypt’s army chief Field Marshall Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi, who holds the position of defence minister in the outgoing cabinet, has decided not to run for presidency, according to sources close to the country’s de facto ruler Saudi newspaper Al-Jazirah revealed.

The paper added that Al-Sisi will not run for presidency no matter how much pressure he faces to run. The reason behind this decision, according to Al-Jazirah, is that the field marshal prayed an istikharah prayer (used by Muslims when in need of guidance on an issue) and feels satisfied about all the steps he took in order to protect the nation from its internal and foreign enemies.

Sources quoted Al-Sisi as saying that he does not care about the West; he cares about the Egyptian people. He put a roadmap for himself, according to the paper: protecting the country and helping it rise, confronting terrorism and developing the armed forces.

The sources added that the army chief is worried about nothing but the nation’s interests and he prefers to remain as defence minister. They added Al-Sisi refuses to involve the army in politics; however the eyes of the army will always be on the running of the country to ensure the army protects it.

Al-Jazirah reported that Al-Sisi will work towards raising the Egyptian army’s skills and enhancing its armament.