Mahlab: Egyption presidential elections will be free

Egyptian Government will secure "a free and transparent atmosphere" for upcoming presidential elections, affirmed Prime Minister Ibrahim Mahlab. Premier Mahlab, in remarks aired by Egyptian Television, late on Wednesday, said the government would adopt "a totally neutral stand during the presidential elections." The government is seeking to resolve urgent matters and secure with citizens' needs, he said, adding "the Egyptian citizen trusts the government and aspires to beter future." Prime Minister Mahlab confirmed relevant government departments and ministries are jointly preparing for the planned polls Mahlab's remarks came on heels of an announcement by First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense and Military Production Field-Marshal Abdulfattah El-Sisi that he resigned from his post. In televised remarks, late on Wednesday, he also announced plans to stand for president, and promised to continue serving the homeland for meeting aspirations of the people after quitting his military posts. Many Egyptians, after the announcement, held demonstrations at public places expressing pleasure for the Field-Marshal nomination for the top post.