Sisi sees Egypt situation better ‘in two years’

Presidential frontrunner Abdel Fattah al-Sisi expects Egypt’s situation will improve in two years “if things go according to plan,” he said in a televised interview aired on Sunday.

Sisi, who is backed by a wave of Egyptians who lauded the former army chief for ousting Islamist president Mohammad Mursi in July last year, also said he would not hesitate to resign if there were mass protests against him.

“If things go according to the plan we have prepared, we will see an improvement in two years,” the retired field marshal said in an interview with Sky News Arabia.

Egypt’s “problems will be over in two years”, he added.

When asked what he would do if protests also erupt against him as they did against former President Hosni Mubarak in early 2011 and later against Mursi in 2013, he said: “If the people go out (on the streets), I will ask them ‘What do you want? I am under your orders,’” he said

“I won’t wait for the army (to intervene) ... the army acts according to the people’s will,” Sisi added.

The country has been rocked by more than three years of political turmoil that toppled thet wo presidents after massive street protests, a deadly crackdown on protesters that has killed more than 1,400 people, and a spate of militant attacks that has left the country deeply polarized and the economy in a shambles.

Last week, in his first televised interview as a presidential candidate, Sisi said the Muslim Brotherhood - the group he removed from power last year - will not exist if he is elected president.

He also said that he survived two assassination attempts in the joint interview with Egypt's privately-owned CBC and ONTV television channels. He said there were "two attempts to assassinate me. I believe in fate, I am not afraid."

Sisi also suggested he would not receive an Israeli prime minister without concessions to Palestinians in peace talks.

The retired field marshal is expected to sweep the May 26-27 election. His only rival is leftist politician Hamdeen Sabbahi.

“Let them just make us happy by giving something for the Palestinians,” he said in a television interview, when asked if he would receive an Israeli prime minister or visit the neighboring country if elected.