Egyptian General, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, has announced that he will resign as the country’s defense minister and run for president in next month’s elections. In a televised speech, the army commander also vowed to fight, what he called, the terrorist threat facing the country.

"I want to announce that I will run for the Egyptian presidency. I would be honoured to have your support. Egypt is not a playground for any domestic, regional or foreign party, it will never be. We do not interfere in anyone else’s affairs and we do not accept any interference in ours." Sisi said

Al-Sisi led the military backed coup that helped topple former Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi after mass protests last July. He had to resign from his posts of army chief and defense minister in order to contest the presidential election. He is widely expected to be elected.