Egyptians have held demonstrations in several cities to protest a decision by Field Marshal Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to resign as the army chief and run for president.
The Wednesday protests came after the army chief announced his resignation in a statement that was broadcast on state TV.
The protesters chanted slogans against Egyptian officials and the military-backed interim government.
A senior member of the Muslim Brotherhood movement, Ibrahim Munir, also criticized Sisi’s decision and said there can be no stability or security under his rule in the high office.
The Brotherhood holds Sisi responsible for masterminding the military ouster of the former president, Mohamed Morsi.
Sisi is also accused of leading a severe crackdown against supporters of Morsi and the Brotherhood movement.
The latest developments come after the council of military leaders recently released a statement giving its blessing to Sisi’s presidential bid, calling it an “obligation” based on popular demand.
No date has yet been set for the presidential election, but media reports say Sisi is expected to win the vote easily.
Sisi was appointed as the general commander of the armed forces and defense minister by Morsi back in 2012.
Egypt has been experiencing unrelenting violence since the country’s first democratically-elected president was ousted on July 3, 2013.
Rights groups say at least 1,400 people have been killed in the violence since the ouster of Morsi, “most of them due to excessive force used by security forces.”
DB/MHB/MAM
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