DHAKA: Egypt’s deputy prime minister and defence minister Abdul Fattah Al Sissi is expected to step down in the coming days to pave the way for his nomination in the upcoming presidential elections.

Egyptian media reported, says gulfnews.com.

Al Wafd newspaper reported that his exit will be part of a government reshuffle in the second half of January that will also see vice president Ziyad Baha’ Al Deen leave his post.

The paper cited ‘political sources with connections to ruling circles’, adding that the country’s Supreme Council for the Armed Forces decided in a meeting on Tuesday to select Lt Gen Sidqi Subhi to replace Al Sissi as defence minister.

Pro-military channel CBC aired a breaking news report on Saturday night revealing that Al Sissi had decided to run for presidency.

BDST: 1817 HRS, JAN 05, 2014
Edited by Robab Rosan, Current Affairs Editor