Egyptian army chief Field Marshal Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has ordered the reshuffle of military officers in volatile areas of the country, including the commander in charge of the volatile northern Sinai region and parts of the Nile Delta, ahead of the announcement of an expected presidential bid, Alarabiya reported.
The reshuffle Monday also included the replacement of the commander of the southern region, which includes several provinces down to the border with Sudan, according to state news agency MENA.
Maj. Gen. Ahmed Wasfi was moved from his post as commander of troops in northern Sinai, two provinces along the Suez Canal and three provinces in the Nile Delta. He was appointed head of training for the armed forces, and was replaced by his chief of staff, Maj. Gen. Yehia al-Gebeily, Egyptian news website al-Ahram reported.
Sisi is widely assumed to resign soon and announce his bid for the country's presidency.
A landslide win is anticipated for the army chief, who led the ouster of Islamist President Mohammad Mursi after mass protests in July last year.