Some see Egypt’s Sisi as ‘ the man of the hour’

Debate rises as Army chief eyes presidency

CAIRO Egypt’s army chief and defense minister Abdel Fattah al- Sisi resigned from the military Wednesday, saying he will run in the first presidential vote to be held since he forced an Islamist leader out of power.

“This is my last day in a military uniform,” Sisi said in a televised speech. He vowed to always fight for Egypt.

“If I am honored to be the president I promise you we can, together, people and leadership, achieve stability,” he said.

Hailed by many here as a strongman who can bring the country back to life, he is widely predicted to become the next president of Egypt.

Sisi was a little- known military figure until he staged a stunning power grab last July that many celebrated as a second revolution and others reviled as an unjust coup.

Millions had taken to the streets in protest against Mohammed Morsi, a Muslim Brotherhood leader who was elected president of Egypt in 2012 but later criticized for failing to effectively govern.

After days of unrest, Sisi took center stage as Morsi was swept into custody.

The army chief announced a political roadmap on July 3 that called for fresh elections and a new constitution to replace one drafted under Morsi’s rule. The legislature was dissolved, and a military- backed government was appointed.

Opponents of the Muslim Brotherhood immediately praised Sisi as a national hero.

“In a period of transition, any country, any state, is very fragile and can fall into civil war, chaos and anarchy,” said Egyptian political sociologist Said Sadek. “During that period, people look for a strong leader, someone who can end the chaos.”

“Sisi is the man of the hour,” he added.

An election would only formalize Sisi’s rule after months of him governing behind the scenes, said Youssof Salhen, spokesman for Students Against the Coup.