Egypt army chief Sisi says will run for president: Kuwaiti newspaper

CAIRO - Reuters

A supporter of Egypt's army chief Field Marshal Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who is to run for the presidency in the upcoming elections, wears a mask and holds a portrait bearing the image of the military commander as he demonstrates outside the Police Academy in Cairo, Jan 28. AFP photo

Egyptian army chief Field Marshal Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who deposed the country's first freely elected leader, has said he will run for president, a Kuwaiti newspaper reported on Feb. 6. 

The widely expected move is almost certain to deepen concerns that military men will again dominate Egypt after a 2011 popular uprising raised hopes of a civilian democracy. 

The newspaper, Al-Seyassah, quoted Sisi as saying in an interview that he had no alternative but to meet the wishes of the Egyptian people for him to run. 

"I will not reject the demand," said Sisi, who is seen as a decisive figure that can ease political turmoil that has hit Egypt's economy hard. 

"I will present this to the Egyptian people to renew confidence through free voting." There was no official confirmation that Sisi will contest elections expected within six months. 

The army-backed interim government has declared the Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist organisation and arrested thousands of its members.

Over 1,000 people, mostly Morsi's supporters, were killed during repeated crackdowns last summer.