Egypt’s military chief Field Marshal Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi smiles as he speaks to Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov during their talks along with Egyptian Foreign Minister Nabil Fahmy and Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu in Moscow, Russia, Thursday, Feb. 13, 2014 (Photo: AP)
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday said he supported Egyptian army chief Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi's bid for the presidency, wishing him luck following their talks in Moscow.
"I know that you, Mr. Defence Minister, have decided to run for president of Egypt," Putin said. "It's a very responsible decision... I wish you luck both from myself personally and from the Russian people," the Russian president added.
Although he has not officially announced his intention to contend for presidency, Field Marshal Abdel Fattah El-Sisi was given the green light by Egypt's Supreme Council of the Armed Forces to run in the upcoming presidential elections. A number of news sources have revealed that El-Sisi's announcement is expected in the coming week.
Putin's statements came following his meeting with Field Marshal El-Sisi and Egyptian Foreign Minister Nabil Fahmy during their visit to Moscow begun on Wednesday, which included talks about diplomatic, military and economic cooperation between the two states.
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