Egyptian media is rife with speculation that army chief Field Marshal Abdel Fattah al-Sisi is to announce his candidacy in the upcoming presidential elections on Tuesday.
Sisi, who is tipped to win the vote if he runs for presidency, is due to give a speech on Tuesday, according to an army statement.
Last week, Sisi remained defense minister in a newly sworn-in cabinet. The army chief has emerged as Egypt's most popular political figure since leading the ouster of Islamist president Mohammad Morsi in July.
His aides say he has already decided to stand in the election scheduled for the spring. In order to do so, Sisi must first step down as defense minister and army chief.
Last week, one of his aides told Agence France-Presse that Sisi is expected to stay on as defense minister until an electoral law has been passed.
During Sisi’s visit to Moscow last month, Russian President Vladimir Putin threw his weight behind Sisi’s presidential bid by voicing hope that ties would strengthen after the election.
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday threw his weight behind Sisi’s presidential bid by voicing hope that ties would strengthen after the election.
The army chief is expected to give his speech at the Cairo military academy.
