Putin 'backs' Sisi to be president of Egypt

16/02/2014| IslamWeb

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said he would support a presidential bid from Egyptian army chief Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, wishing him 'luck' after holding talks in Moscow.

"I know that you, Mr defense minister, have decided to run for president of Egypt," Putin said, according to Russian news reports.

"It's a very responsible decision... I wish you luck both from myself personally and from the Russian people."

Sisi, who is widely expected to run for the job, has not yet officially declared his candidacy and there was no announcement from the Egyptian government.

Sisi and Nabil Fahmy, Egypt's foreign minister, also held separate talks with Sergei Shoigu and Sergei Lavrov, the Russian defense and foreign ministers.

Arms deal speculation

Al Jazeera's Paul Brennan, reporting from Moscow, said that well-informed sources have said a major weapons deal will be signed during the visit.

Russian and Egyptian media carried reports of a $2bn Gulf-funded arms agreement in the making between the countries.

The visit is also seen as a move to reduce Egypt’s reliance on the United States after relations cooled following the coup against former President Mohamed Morsi and Cairo’s harsh response to protests that followed it.

According to Brennan, Egyptian authorities have said they are not seeking to move away from their relationship with the US, but are instead working to diversify and add to their list of international allies.

Civilian clothes

Sisi made a rare appearance in civilian clothes on his way to Moscow, fuelling speculation he was trying to appear more presidential before announcing a bid for top office. The country's top military body recently endorsed his candidacy.

PHOTO CAPTION

Russian President Vladimir Putin, third right, speaks with Egyptian Foreign Minister Nabil Fahmy, left, and Army chief Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, second left, at the Novo-Ogaryovo state residence outside Moscow, Thursday, Feb. 13, 2014

Al-Jazeera