Sisi says tried to persuade Mansour to run for president

CAIRO – 7 November 2019: President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Thursday said that he had tried in 2014 to persuade then-acting President Adli Mansour to run for president instead of him, but that the Egyptian judge refused.

“I asked President Adli Mansour to run [for president] so that I remain in my place as I am [as defense minister] … and that I would make everything possible for Egypt and for you, but he said that ‘it was not possible, and that it’s okay and enough.’”

Sisi’s remarks came in his speech on the occasion of Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday (Al-Mawlid Al-Nabawi) celebrated by many Muslims in several countries, and is believed by Sunni scholars to be on 12th Rabi' al-awwal, according to the Islamic calendar (November 9th this year).

Referring to challenges the country is facing, the president affirmed that extremism, terrorism, and physical and moral destruction would not be able to prevent people from moving towards a better future.

Sisi referred to the June 30 revolution in 2013, which ousted Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated President Mohamed Morsi, saying that he asked Egyptians to take to streets on July 24 this year to give him the authorization to fight terrorism, as these groups have the belief that they “must rule you or kill.” He added that these groups resort to spreading lies and false news, as well as using arms as part of their destruction plan.

Nile Award

In his first decree as president, Sisi awarded Mansour the Nile Order, Egypt’s highest state honor, during a ceremony at the Qubba Palace, in 2014.

This came to pay gratitude to Mansour, who led the country during the critical stage following the June 30 revolution.