28 Jan 2014

Army backs chief as president of Egypt

7:51 am on 28 January 2014

State media in Egypt report the Army has given its approval for Field Marshal Abdul Fattah al-Sisi to run for the presidency.

Abdul Fattah al-Sisi.

Abdul Fattah al-Sisi. Photo: AFP

Field Marshal Sisi led the overthrow of President Mohammed Morsi on 3 July last year, a few days after the first anniversary of his election.

He is expected to accept the nomination from the Supreme Council for Armed Forces and resign from his military position within days.

Earlier on Monday, Interim President Adly Mansour promoted him from general to field marshal.

The BBC says Field Marshal Sisi is popular with much of the Egyptian public and analysts say he would be expected to win the presidential election, which is to be held by late April.