Al-Hayat: Sisi to announce candidacy within days

Armed Forces Chief Commander Abdel Fattah al-Sisi is to resign from his position as minister of defense within days, the London-based Al-Hayat newspaper reported on Tuesday. 

The newspaper's website cited an "informed source" as saying that Sisi "took the decision in light of wide popular demands in addition to signs of Arab acquiescence especially from the Gulf countries." Previous media reports have pointed to an enthusiasm displayed by several Gulf countries towards Sisi's candidacy, citing that a few vowed to offer financial sponsorship for major development projects in Egypt in case Sisi decides to run. 

The source also said that Sisi made the decision after closely studying foreign – particularly American – reactions to his potential candidacy. According to the source, Sisi's assessment is that he has become an influential decision-making element for the US administration across its different sectors, specifically within the Pentagon, which is welcoming of his move to run for presidency.

"The Armed Forces have supported Sisi's candidacy in respect to his role in protecting the army's unity and the policies he took to safeguard the nation from ongoing dangers," the source said, adding that the Armed Forces are confident of his ability to run the country. 

Sisi will reportedly address the nation shortly with his plan to run for the top executive post as well as his electoral platform, which is to be based on the "demands of the January 25 and the June 30 revolutions", the source cited. Sisi vowed that the contest will be fair among all candidates and that he will not exclude any political group if he is to be elected. He will be working closely with academics and politicians to shape his platform and administration.

Al-Hayat expects that interim President Adly Mansour will also shortly announce the holding of presidential elections ahead of parliamentary elections, which have to take place within 30 to 60 days from the date of the passing of the constitution, a document just approved with a staggering 98.1 percent majority in a referendum held last week. 

Al-Hayat also cites sources as saying that a cabinet reshuffle is expected within days, with a clique of "returning businessmen" pressuring their contacts in the Armed Forces to implement some changes to the current cabinet formation. According to Al-Hayat's sources, the Armed Forces are still interested in keeping Prime Minister Hazem al-Beblawi in his post despite demands for his resignation from several businessmen. Ministerial changes will include the appointment of a new minister of defense to replace Sisi in case he runs for presidency, a position that has to be approved by the Armed Forces as per the recently passed constitution. 

The London-based Asharq Al-Awsat daily, however, reported on Tuesday that "authorities" are still evaluating Sisi's candidacy and that former Intelligence Chief Mourad Mowafy's name is also being thrown around as a potential candidate. Sources told the paper that decision-making circles are going through some "turbulence ahead of the commemoration of the January 25 revolution." The report contradicts that of Al-Hayat, which relayed a sense of confidence among decision makers over Sisi's candidacy. 

Meanwhile, the Saudi Okaz news website cited sources stating that former Armed Forces Chief of Staff Sami Anan is also interested in running in the presidential contest, and that he is waiting on Mansour to issue a decision on when the presidential elections will be held. Sources suggested to the news outlet that Anan, who is in consultation with advisors, will run regardless of whether Sisi will run or not.  

Anan, who has been a powerful figure in the Egyptian military, was sent to retirement in 2012 by senior Brotherhood leader and former President Mohamed Morsi, who had been newly elected at the time.

Okaz would be the second Saudi paper today to suggest that Sisi is not the definite presidential candidate for the upcoming polls in Egypt. 

Sisi's popularity is mostly due to his stand against the Muslim Brotherhood around popular protests last June demanding the end of their rule. On July 3, he ousted former President Mohamed Morsi and appointed a pro-military government amidst popular support.