{Field Marshal Abdul Fattah al-Sisi and Gen Sedki Sobhi (file)
Sedki Sobhi (right) was promoted to first lieutenant-general shortly before Abdul Fattah al-Sisi’s resignation}
{{Egypt’s new armed forces chief and defence minister has been sworn in, a day after Abdul Fattah al-Sisi resigned so he could stand for the presidency.}}
Interim President Adly Mansour confirmed Gen Sedki Sobhi’s appointment at the weekly cabinet meeting in Cairo.
Gen Mahmoud Hegazi, whose daughter is married to one of Mr Sisi’s sons, was named the army’s new chief-of-staff.
Mr Sisi, who held the rank of field marshal, reportedly turned up at the cabinet meeting in civilian clothes.
As commander-in-chief last July, he led the overthrow of President Mohammed Morsi following mass opposition protests.
The military-backed interim authorities subsequently launched a crackdown on the Muslim Brotherhood that has left more than 1,000 people dead and seen some 16,000 others detained.
They have also struggled to combat jihadist militants based in the Sinai peninsula who have attacked government and security forces personnel, killing more than 200.
{{‘Coup leader’}}
Mr Sisi attended Thursday’s cabinet meeting to submit his resignation as defence minister and see his former chief-of-staff sworn in as his successor, the Mena news agency reported.
Announcing his presidential bid on Wednesday, the 59 year old said he was answering “the demand of a wide range of Egyptians who have called on me to run for this honourable office”.
Mr Sisi promised he would soon offer “a clear platform for a modern and democratic Egypt”.
But he warned of an “extremely difficult task” ahead as the country faced up to its “economic, social, political and security realities”, including the threat of “terrorists”.
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