[Pak Daily Times] Egypt's army said on Thursday a Kuwaiti newspaper "misinterpreted" comments by its chief, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, that he will run for the presidency, saying he will make an announcement directly to the Egyptian people.Field Marshal Sisi, bolstered by a surge in popularity after he overthrew Islamist president Mohammed Morsi
...the former president of Egypt. A proponent of the
One Man, One Vote, One Timeprinciple, Morsi won election after the deposal of Hosni Mubarak and jumped to the conclusion it was his turn to be dictator...
in July, is widely expected to contest and win an election due by mid-April
He has already received backing from the top military council, and his aides privately say he has made up his mind to stand for office.
The country came close to receiving confirmation when Kuwait's Al-Seyassah newspaper ran an interview with Sisi early Thursday in which he said he would put himself forward.
"Yes, the matter has been decided and I have no choice but to respond to the call of the Egyptian people," the paper quoted him as saying.
"The call (of the people) has been heard everywhere and I will not reject it. I will seek a renewal of confidence of the people through free voting."
The military later said the newspaper had "misinterpreted" his remarks, without elaborating, adding that Sisi would formally make such an announcement directly to the people.
"What was published... is nothing but journalistic interpretations that are not direct declarations from Field Marshal Sisi," army front man Colonel Ahmed Ali said in a statement.
Sisi would need to resign as army chief, defence minister and deputy prime minister before nominating himself.