Military denies Kuwaiti news Sisi will run is official

Spokesperson for the Armed Forces Colonel Ahmed Ali said on Thursday that what a Kuwaiti newspaper published about Field Marshal Abdel Fattah al-Sisi running for the presidency is mere journalistic speculation and is by no means an official declaration.

In an interview with the editor-in-chief of Kuwaiti Newspaper Al-Seyassa Ahmed Garrallah, Defense Minister Abdel Fattah al-Sisi reportedly said that the matter of his candidacy has been resolved and he will succumb to the people's will, adding, "I will renew the people's trust through a free vote."

"Egypt needs all our efforts to stand up again," the defense minister said, adding that both the people and the government should work together for a new start, and eliminate the past and wipe out the inheritance of previous rulers that abused their positions. "Egypt is currently living a new phase of social dignity and honesty," Kuwaiti news reported Sisi said.

The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces stated it was willing to accept the peoples’ request and Sisi's candidacy.

On Tuesday, several local newspapers stated that Sisi is expected to resign his current position as defense minister soon. Privately owned daily newspaper Al-Masry Al-Youm estimated that the announcement would come in mid February.

A presidential elections law is due to be finalized by the government within days, following which candidates will start announcing their participation in the presidential marathon.