In a widely expected announcement, he said on state TV he was appearing "in my military uniform for the last time".

 

Field Marshal Sisi led the overthrow²（推翻） of Islamist President Mohammed Morsi in July after mass opposition³ protests.

 

Correspondents say he is likely to win the presidency, given his popularity and the lack of any serious rivals.

 

To his supporters, the 59-year-old former army chief is a saviour⁴ who can end the political turmoil⁵ dogging Egypt since 2011 when a popular uprising ended Hosni Mubarak's three decades of one-man rule. 

 

But his opponents hold him responsible for what human rights groups say are widespread abuses, and fear that he wants a return to authoritarianism⁶. 

 

His announcement came hours after Egypt's interim⁷ authorities ordered the prosecution⁸ of 919 suspected Islamists and days after 528 were sentenced to death in a separate case.

 

 

In his address, Field Marshal Sisi told Egyptians he first wore his military uniform as a 15-year-old cadet and said: "I will always be proud of wearing the uniform of defending my country."

 

But he said he was answering "the demand of a wide range of Egyptians who have called on me to run for this honourable⁹ office".

 

He warned of an "extremely difficult task" ahead for Egyptians as the country faces up to its "economic, social, political and security realities", including a threat "by the terrorists".

 

But he proposed "hard work and self-denial". "If I am granted the honour of the leadership," he said, "I promise that we together, leadership and people, can achieve stability, safety and hope for Egypt".

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