NEW : Military council says it is El - Sisi 's , but it highly encourages his candidacy . Field Marshal Abdel - Fattah El - Sisi is expected to announce soon whether he 'll run . The army general was defense minister when the military deposed President Abbas last year . Egypt 's military leadership council on Monday gave Field Marshal Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi -- the army chief who helped oust the country 's first democratically elected president -- its blessing to run for the presidency , the state-run Middle East News Agency reported . Candidates can officially declare themselves next month .
NEW : Military council says it is El - Sisi 's , but it highly encourages his candidacy . Field Marshal Abdel - Fattah El - Sisi is expected to announce soon whether he 'll run . The army general was defense minister when the military deposed President Abbas last year . Candidates can officially declare themselves next month .