Cairo: Egypt's Defence Minister Abdul Fattah Al Sissi said on Wednesday night he had resigned from the post to run for presidency, a step that ends months of speculation about his plans after leading the military's ouster of Islamist president Mohammad Mursi last year.
"I am standing in front of you to talk from (my) heart in response to many calls," said Al Sissi in a recorded address telecast on state television. "I consider myself a soldier ready to serve the people in any site," he added as he appeared clad in military fatigues.
"I'm standing in front of you for the last time wearing my military uniform after I decided to terminate my service as defence minister," he told Egyptians.
"With all humbleness, I come forward to announce my intention to nominate myself for the presidency of the Arab Republic of Egypt."
Al Sissi said that his electoral platform would not be traditional. "It will take the form of a comprehensive vision to achieve national renaissance."
Citing Egypt's problems, he said: "We have to be sincere with ourselves. Our country faces big and formidable challenges. Our economy is weak."
He called on Egyptians to help rebuild the "flabby state apparatus", shore up low productivity and restore the state's authority. He vowed to continue fighting what he described as terrorism, referring to a relentless crackdown pursued by the military-backed authorities on suspected Islamist militants.
Al Sissi's announcement followed a meeting of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF), attended by caretaker President Adly Mansour. The resignation clears the way for Al Sissi, 59, to contest Egypt's coming presidential elections.
SCAF also nominated Chief of the Army Staff Sedki Sobhi to replace Al Sissi as defence minister, reported local media. Mansour decreed the promotion of Sobhi from the rank of lieutenant general to general.
Under the recently adopted constitution, SCAf is empowered for eight transitional years to nominate the defence minister before the president endorses the appointment. Sobhi, 59, is expected Thursday to be sworn in as defence minister.
Al Sissi is widely tipped to be the lead contender in the presidential elections anticipated in May. He has been widely popular with many Egyptians since July last year when he led Mursi's overthrow following wide street protests against the Islamist leader's troubled one-year rule.
An official electoral commission is expected to meet Sunday to announce specific arrangements and timetable for the vote, a milestone in a post-Mursi transitional road map.
Demonised by Mursi's Brotherhood, Al Sissi is seen by his supporters as able to re-establish security and re-invigorate economy, which have deteriorated since a 2011 uprising forced long-standing president Hosni Mubarak out of power. Al Sissi's detractors questions his commitment to democracy.
