Egypt’s president says he’s ready to personally join fight against jihadists

With less than two weeks before elections, Egypt’s president says he is prepared to personally join the army and police battling Islamic militants in Sinai, vowing he and his security forces would prosecute the fight until the end.

“I swear by God that I am ready to don combat fatigues and fight side by side” with the security forces, said Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, a general-turned-president. “We either live together, or die together.”

The outcome of the March 26-28 election is a foregone conclusion, with Sissi running virtually unopposed. His only challenger is a little-known politician who supports him.

With a landslide win beyond doubt, he and his supporters are urging voters to come out and cast their ballots since a high turnout will accord the vote legitimacy.

— AP