Egypt's defence minister Abdel-Fattah Al Sisi is currently in a meeting with the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) where he is expected to submit his resignation from the military, a military source has told Ahram Online.
Al Sisi's resignation would be seen as the first official step towards running in Egypt's upcoming presidential elections, slated to begin 30 March.
Military personnel are not allowed to enter politics, as per Egyptian law.
Wednesday's SCAF meeting is also expected to determine Al Sisi's successor as defence minister, the source said, adding that Chief of Staff Sedki Sobhi will likely be chosen.
The new chief of staff will also be named at the meeting.
Al Sisi is expected to submit his resignation as a minister of defense in tomorrow's cabinet meeting. The Egyptian cabinet's weekly meeting had been slated for Wednesday as well, but has been pushed back to Thursday as interim President Adly Mansour traveled to Kuwait to attend an Arab League summit.
Presidential hopefuls in this year's elections – Egypt's second since the 2011 uprising – will be able to apply for candidacy with the Presidential Elections Committee (PEC) on 30 March, according to predictions.
A new president will be named before 17 July, Mansour said.
By Ahmed Eleiba
