Egypt's top military body Monday backed its commander Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to run for the presidency, which he is assured to win after ousting the democratically elected leader in July.
Sisi, wildly popular for overthrowing Islamist president Mohamed Morsi, is now expected to resign as army chief and put himself forward as a candidate in the election scheduled for mid-April.
The army's announcement came after a weekend in which dozens were killed in street clashes between Morsi's supporters and police and militant attacks, underscoring the difficulties Sisi will face from the Islamist's backers.
A victory by Sisi will continue a tradition of Egyptian presidents drawn from the military, after the army overthrew Morsi, the first civilian president, on July 3 following mass protests demanding his resignation.
The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces said "the people's trust in Sisi is a call that must be heeded as the free choice of the people."
The statement said Sisi thanked the military leadership for allowing him "the right to respond to the call of duty."
A senior military official told AFP Sisi would step down from his command within days and run in the election.
"He will then sit down, study a program" to implement after he wins the election, the general said.
Sisi "wants to unite the people, restore security and Egypt's international standing," said the general.
The top commander had yet to resign, and may only do so after Monday, the general added.
Sisi's aides have said he hesitated before announcing his candidacy for president because he wanted to be sure he would be an effective leader.
Hours before the army's announcement, interim president Adly Mansour, whom Sisi had appointed to replace Morsi, promoted the army chief and defence minister to the top rank of field marshal.
"I think this is goodbye to Sisi as army chief," said an official of the promotion.
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