He declared that it was the last time he would wear his uniform because he was stepping down to run president and continue to defend the country. But he said he was answering "the demand of a wide range of Egyptians who have called on me to run for this honourable office". Field Marshal Sisi led the overthrow of Islamist President Mohammed Morsi in July after mass opposition protests. Since then, more than 1,000 people have been killed and thousands of members of Mr Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood have been detained in a crackdown by the interim authorities, who have designated the Islamist movement a terrorist group. "If I am granted the honour of the leadership," he said, "I promise that we together, leadership and people, can achieve stability, safety and hope for Egypt". "He is a political man, a military man, and an economics man. El-Sissi's candidacy — and presidency, is he wins — is another dramatic turn in Egypt's trajectory that began with the 2011 ouster of autocrat Hosni Mubarak in a popular uprising demanding democracy after a 29-year rule. This time, so far only one person has announced his intention to run against el-Sissi — leftist politician Hamdeen Sabahi, who came in third in the 2012 vote. Analysts warn that Sisi's strong support could wane if he can't make progress fast. Rather, I propose hard work and self-denial," he said. Authorities on Wednesday announced the latest in a series of mass tribunal of suspected Islamists, putting 919 defendants, including top Brotherhood leader Mohammed Badie, on trial for murder and other charges in connection to the violence over the past months. Earlier this week, an Egyptian court sentenced to death 528 suspected Morsi supporters over a deadly attack on a police station, capping a swift, two-day mass trial in which defense attorneys were not allowed to present their case. When Mr Morsi refused, Field Marshal Sisi suspended the constitution and announced the formation of a technocratic interim government.
– The most powerful man in Egypt has thrown his military fatigues aside to run for president. Field Marshal Abdul-Fattah al-Sisi, who led the overthrow of elected President Mohamed Morsi last summer, announced on TV late yesterday that he was stepping down as military chief to answer "the demand of a wide range of Egyptians who have called on me to run for this honorable office," reports the BBC, which notes that his popularity and lack of serious rivals makes him very likely to win elections expected this summer. Morsi's year in office was the only time since 1952 that Egypt has had a leader not from a military background. Supporters say al-Sisi is the only one who can end the country's turmoil, but opponents fear he will lead the country back to authoritarianism. "His running will not achieve stability in Egypt. It's true he has many supporters who love him or even worship him. But on the other hand, there are those who hate Gen. al-Sisi and hold him responsible for the blood that has been shed," a senior member of a Muslim Brotherhood-led coalition tells the AP. The announcement came days after 529 Morsi supporters were sentenced to death and 683 more were put on trial.