EGYPTIAN COURT REFUSES TO 'OBLIGE' SISI TO RUN FOR PRESIDENT

Alexandria, 26 Shafar 1435/30 December 2013 (MINA) – An Egyptian court has dismissed a lawsuit asking the court to ‘oblige’ Defense Minister Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi to run in the upcoming presidential elections.

Ahmed Ezz al-Arab, the lawyer who filed the lawsuit, told Anadolu Agency on Sunday that the Alexandria court for urgent matters has dismissed his case for the lack of legal ground.

Presidential elections are the final milestone in a three-stage transitional roadmap imposed by Egypt’s military following its July 3 ouster of elected president Mohamed Morsi.

Egyptians will be voting on January 14-15 on an amended version of the country’s 2012 constitution, suspended by the army, Anadolu Agency quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting, Sunday (29/12).

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Constitutional amendments and parliamentary elections are two milestones of the roadmap.

Several initiatives have been launched recently that aim to rally support for an al-Sisi presidential bid.

Organizers of such campaigns say the top general, seen as the main architect of Morsi’s ouster, is the best man for the job. (T/P012/E1)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)