13 February 2014 Last updated at 05:46 ET
Field Marshal Sisi - here with Russia's foreign and defence ministers - is in Moscow to sign an arms deal
Putin backs Sisi 'bid for Egypt presidency'
Field Marshal Sisi - here with Russia's foreign and defence ministers - is in Moscow to sign an arms deal
Russia's President Vladimir Putin has said he backs Egypt's military chief Abdul Fattah al-Sisi in his "bid for the presidency".
Mr Putin said at the start of a meeting in Moscow with Field Marshal Sisi that he was "aware" of his decision to run.
However, there has been no announcement on the matter from the Egyptian side.
The field marshal led the overthrow of President Mohammed Morsi last July, and the new constitution calls for an election by mid-April.
Correspondents say Field Marshal Sisi would be likely to win, given his popularity and the lack of any serious rivals.
'Wish you luck'
Mr Putin said: "I know that you, mister defence minister, have decided to run for president of Egypt.
"I wish you luck both from myself personally and from the Russian people."
Field Marshal Sisi is in Moscow to negotiate a $2bn arms deal with Russia.
The agreement comes after the United States suspended some of its annual military assistance to Egypt in response to Mr Morsi's removal.
Field Marshal Sisi said: "Our visit offers a new start to the development of military and technological cooperation between Egypt and Russia. We hope to speed up this co-operation." BBC
No comments:
Post a Comment