CAIRO: Egypt’s top military body Monday backed its commander Abdel Fattah El-Sissi to run for the presidency, which he is assured to win after ousting the democratically elected leader in July.
“It will more or less be a one man show,” said Ahmed Fawzi, the secretary-general of the Social Democratic party, part of the liberal alliance that supported Mursi’s ouster.
“There is a personal vendetta between El-Sissi and the Muslim Brotherhood. No doubt violence will only increase under El-Sissi,” Fawzy said.
While El-Sissi is yet to make a final announcement, the military’s top body of generals, the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, endorsed the idea after an hours-long meeting Monday to discuss El-Sissi candidacy, according to military spokesman Col. Ahmed Mohammed Ali.
In an audio statement, the council said it was the majority’s will.
“The council cannot but look with respect and homage to the desire of the wide masses of the great Egyptian people to nominate Gen. El-Sissi for the presidency, and considers it an assignment and commitment.”
While the generals were holding their meeting, interim President Adly Mansour announced El-Sissi’s promotion from general to field marshal — the military’s top rank — apparently as a final honor before he leaves the military.
