Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, the former military chief who removed Egypt's elected Islamist president and is poised to win the post in elections later this month, said he has plans to make improvements in people's living conditions within two years but will step down if they rise up against him — without waiting for the army to remove him.
El-Sissi was speaking with the Emirates-based Sky News Arabia, giving his first televised interview as a presidential candidate to foreign media. The first part of the interview was aired Sunday. Riding on a wave of nationalist fervour, the 59-year old el-Sissi is poised to win the elections scheduled for May 26-27. The media and supporters tout him as the nation's saviour for removing Mohammed Morsi in July following massive rallies against him and a rising spectre of civilian infighting.
"The poor have been patient for years," he said, adding that he needs Egyptians to line up behind him to be able to solve the country's challenging economic and security problems. "We say if things go according to our planning, they will see improvements within two years."
To stress his point that he needs people's support, he said: "Egyptians and el-Sissi promise themselves that within two years they will see their problem end."
El-Sissi said widening poverty, rising internal and external debts and an energy crunch are the country's most pressing economic problems. He repeated his concern for improving security and fighting terrorism, saying police must be given the chance to combat militants and not be distracted with protests. He said that if Egyptians' do not lower their expectations once they see the extent of their problems, they "may go out (against their president) for a third time."
"On my own, I can't" solve the problem, he stressed.
But he said he would not wait for the army to remove him if people rise up against him.
El-Sissi removed Morsi after massive protests demanding he step down amid complains he and his Islamist group the Muslim Brotherhood were monopolizing power. Morsi refused to step down or hold a referendum on his leadership following an ultimatum from el-Sissi.
The military also moved in to replace Hosni Mubarak, longtime autocrat, after days of protests against him. Mubarak stepped down, and the military ruled for a transitional period before Morsi was elected.
"Do you think I will wait for a third time? If people go down to protest, I will say, I am at your service. I can't wait until the army asks me to (step down), I can't be like this. I fear for my country. I fear for the people."
