EGYPT: EL-SISI TO SUBMIT RESIGNATION AS DEFENCE MINISTER

Cairo, 26 Jumadil Awwal 1435/27 March 2014 (MINA) – Egypt’s defence minister Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, who ousted Egypt’s first freely elected president last July, is currently in a meeting with the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) where he is expected to submit his resignation from the military, a military source has told Ahram Online.

El-Sisi’s resignation would be seen as the first official step towards running in Egypt’s upcoming presidential elections, slated to begin 30 March.

Military personnel are not allowed to enter politics, as per Egyptian law, Ahram reported as quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA).

Al-Sisi was appointed as Defence Minister by Mohamed Morsi when he was in his office on 2012, and was ousted by Al-Sisi’s announcement on July 2013 following protest of Morsi’s administration by his opponents.

Wednesday’s SCAF meeting is also expected to determine El-Sisi’s successor as defence minister, the source said, adding that Chief of Staff Sedki Sobhi will likely be chosen.

The new chief of staff will also be named at the meeting.

El-Sisi is expected to submit his resignation as defence minister in Thursday’s meeting with the Egyptian cabinet – scheduled for Wednesday but pushed back a day to accommodate interim President Adly Mansour, who will be returning from an Arab League summit in Kuwait. 

Presidential hopefuls in this year’s elections will be able to apply for candidacy with the Presidential Elections Committee (PEC) on 30 March, according to predictions.

A new president will be named before 17 July, Mansour said.(T/P03/P04)

 

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)