Egypt: Sobhi replaces Sisi as defence minister

Egyptian military Chief of Staff, Gen. Sedki Sobhi, took oath of office on Friday as the country’s new Defence Minister to succeed Abdel-Fattah al- Sisi, who resigned to run for the country’s presidency.

The Egyptian Interim President, Adli Mansour, promoted Sobhi from lieutenant general to the higher rank of general, a preparatory step for the chief of staff to replace Al-sisi as defence minister.

Al-Sisi declared his widely-anticipated candidacy in a campaign style televised speech and vowed to fight for an Egypt “free of terrorism’’ and promised to build a democratic and modern country.

Egypt’s newly-approved constitution allows only civilians to run for president, which requires al-sisi to give up the military post to join the presidential race.

Sobhi attended his first cabinet meeting right after taking oath before the interim president.

Meanwhile, Mansour had issued a presidential decree promoting Maj.-Gen. Mahmoud Hegazy to the higher rank of lieutenant general and appointed him as new military chief of staff to replace Sobhi.