Egyptian army chief Field Marshal Abdel-Fattah Al Sisi has given another large hint that he will stand for president in upcoming elections.
“I cannot turn my back when the majority wants me to run for president,” Al Sisi said in a speech at an officers' graduation ceremony on Tuesday.
"The formal procedures will be finalised over the coming days," he added.
A new law governing Egypt's upcoming presidential elections has been revised and was sent on Monday to interim President Adly Mansour for a final review. After the law is issued, the presidential race will officially start.
Al Sisi called on people to work together as “nobody can work alone for the country’s advancement in such circumstances.”
The army chief's popularity skyrocketed after he announced the ouster of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi on 3 July following mass protests against his rule.
Many Egyptians have called on him to stand for president but he is yet to formally announce his candidacy.
Al Sisi, who was initially appointed defence minister by Morsi, was promoted to Field Marshal by interim President Adly Mansour in January.
The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces has backed a presidential bid by the army chief.
