Egypt army chief says he will run for president

By Sarah El Deeb

Published March 26, 2014 7:45PM (EDT)

Riot police fire tear gas during clashes outside Cairo University in Giza, Egypt, Wednesday, March 26, 2014. Hundreds of largely Islamist university students in a number of universities protested Wednesday against the mass death sentences issued against more than 520 suspected supporters of President Mohammed Morsi in a cursory trial, setting off clashes that left dozens injured. At Cairo University, hundreds of students who attempted to take their protest outside the campus were met with volleys of tear gas from police. (AP Photo/Ahmed Abd El Latif, El Shorouk) EGYPT OUT (AP)
Riot police fire tear gas during clashes outside Cairo University in Giza, Egypt, Wednesday, March 26, 2014. Hundreds of largely Islamist university students in a number of universities protested Wednesday against the mass death sentences issued against more than 520 suspected supporters of President Mohammed Morsi in a cursory trial, setting off clashes that left dozens injured. At Cairo University, hundreds of students who attempted to take their protest outside the campus were met with volleys of tear gas from police. (AP Photo/Ahmed Abd El Latif, El Shorouk) EGYPT OUT (AP)

CAIRO (AP) — Egypt's military chief Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi has announced that he will run for president.

In a nationally televised speech, el-Sissi said he has resigned from the military. Wearing military fartigues, he said it was the last time he would wear it and that "I give up the uniform to defend the nation" and run in elections expected next month.

El-Sissi, who held the rank of field marshal, is considered almost certain to win. Under Egyptian law, only civilians can run for president, so his resignation was a required step.

Last summer, the military chief removed Islamist President Mohammed Morsi, after massive protests calling for his ouster.


By Sarah El Deeb

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