Egypt army says to summon ex-military chief of staff over violations

CAIRO - Egypt's army said Tuesday that it will summon former military chief of staff Sami Anan, who announced running for presidency in an upcoming election, over committing violations, said an army televised statement.

"His intention to run for presidency in an upcoming election amounts to incitement against the military," the statement said.

Anan announced his campaign for the presidential elections without getting approval of the armed forces, it added.

Meanwhile, an army spokesman said Anan's announcement was intended to drive a wedge between the armed forces and the Egyptian people.

Anan falsified official documents, which wrongly said he has ended his service in the armed forces, the statement noted, adding that all legal procedures related to those violations and crimes should be taken against Anan.

Egypt will hold its 2018 presidential polls in late March. After a 10-day candidate registration period starting on Saturday, the candidates will embark on their campaigns on Feb. 24.

On Friday, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi officially announced his intention to run for a second four-year presidential term.

Hours after Sisi's announcement, Anan declared his plan to join the 2018 presidential race, blaming Egypt's ongoing problems on "wrong policies" and calling on the country's institutions not to take sides in favor of any candidate.

Last November, Egyptian rights and opposition lawyer Khaled Ali announced his intention to join the presidential race. But Ali could be disqualified as he received a suspended three-month jail term in September over an obscene hand gesture he allegedly made after winning a court order challenging the government.