Sisi presidency bid proof of 'coup': Egypt's Brotherhood

CAIRO

The Muslim Brotherhood insisted on Thursday that army chief Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi's recent remarks about contesting the presidential elections proved that last summer's ouster of elected president Mohamed Morsi was a "military coup."

"The days have shown that al-Sisi staged the coup to assume control of the country," the Islamist group, from which the ousted president hails, said in a statement.

"His remarks about not turning his back on those who want him for president is the mantra of all despotic rulers," the group added.

Addressing new military cadets on Tuesday, al-Sisi said he could not turn his back on Egyptians who want him to run for president.

The Brotherhood said al-Sisi was likely to run for president, despite earlier assertions that he would not seek the top office and that the army was not after power.

The group blamed the army chief for Egypt's current precarious circumstances, saying that ordinary citizens were aware that Egypt was on a slippery slope to destruction.

"Most countries still don't recognize the coup," the Brotherhood said, going on to note that Egypt's African Union membership remained suspended due to the unconstitutional leadership change.

The pan-Africa body suspended Egypt's membership last July immediately following Morsi's ouster.

Anadolu Agency could not obtain an immediate comment from the authorities.

The army-backed interim government contends that Morsi's ouster came in response to the desires of millios of Egyptians who took to the streets on June 30 of last year.

Al-Sisi has repeatedly denies accusations that he ousted Morsi with a view to replacing him.

He insists he repeatedly advised Morsi to heal rifts with Egypt's opposition, but that the latter had failed to heed the advice of the army, which had feared an imminent civil war.

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