Egypt army chief says to run for president by 'popular demand'

Sisi is easily the most popular leader in Egypt after toppling Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in July, and military officers have told AFP he had support within the army to stand in the election scheduled to take place by the autumn of 2014.

"If I nominate myself, there must be a popular demand, and a mandate from my army," the state newspaper Al-Ahram quoted him as saying at a meeting with Egyptian officials.

The comments come just days ahead of a referendum on a new constitution, the first in a series of polls the military-installed government says will restore elected rule following Morsi's ouster.

An official close to the general told AFP Sisi has not made up his mind but feels he "would not have the luxury or choice" to stand aside in the election if there is a palpable demand for him to run in the poll.

Asked what evidence of public support Sisi would require, the official said turn out in the referendum to approve the new constitution would be an "indicator".

Al-Ahram reported the audience broke into applause at Sisi's comments and chanted "we are all with you".

A member of the audience confirmed the comments to AFP.

The official close to the general told AFP Sisi would be "obliged" to stand in the election if he felt the people demanded him as president.

"He will never let the people down," he added, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Sisi is wildly popular among a majority of Egyptians who had rallied in the millions demanding Morsi's resignation before the military overthrew and detained the Islamist leader.

Most of the leading former candidates who lost to Morsi in the 2012 election have said they would stand aside if Sisi chose to run.

Beleaguered by three years of instability following the toppling of president Hosni Mubarak in the 2011 uprising, many Egyptians yearn for a strong leader who would fix the economy and restore security.

But Morsi's followers accuse Sisi of leading a "coup" against the country's first freely elected and civilian president after only a single, but turbulent, year in office.