Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, popular favorite in the upcoming presidential elections in Egypt, promised to improve the country's situation within two years and step down if the people were unhappy.
Sisi, a former military chief, stated in an interview with Sky News Arabia Sunday that if things go according to plan, Egypt will see improvement in two years. "Problems will be over in two years," he said in the televised interview.
Forefront in overthrowing Mohamed Morsi, a Muslim Brotherhood senior, he praised people's decision in ousting Egypt's first elected president. The 59-year-old presidential candidate, who is poised to win the upcoming elections, also opined that he would not wait for the army to overthrow him and would rather quit if people protested against his rule.
"Do you think I will wait for a third time? If people go down to protest, I will say, I am at your service," el-Sissi said, the Associated Press reports citing the Sky News Arabia interview. "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."
He also commented on Morsi's year-long rule. Sisi stated that the Brotherhood, which was declared a terrorist organisation, "projected itself in a way that made Egyptians feel that they can't live with them (the Brotherhood) again," reports the Agence France-Presse.
The country has been facing political turmoil for more than three years. Two presidents were ousted within these three years. At least 1,400 people were killed during the deadly demonstrations that also affected the country's economy.
After Morsi's removal, the Brotherhood and members of National Democratic Party to which Hosni Mubarak belonged suffered major setbacks. Two mass trials were conducted sentencing at least 1,000 Brotherhood supporters including senior member Mohamed Badie to death.
Last week, a Cairo court banned NDP members contesting in any elections. The court stated that during its rule, the NDP passed laws that violated the constitution and ignored court rulings. It said that the party was dissolved after Mubarak's ousting and the party members' political comeback would pose a threat to Egypt and anger the citizens.
