Cairo, May 6 (IANS) Egypt’s former military chief and presidential candidate Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi said Monday that the military will not rule Egypt if he wins the upcoming presidential elections.

“The army will not play a role in ruling Egypt if I become the president,” Sisi said in an interview aired by two Egyptian private TV channels on Monday night, noting that the army “did not rule Egypt over the past 30 years”, Xinhua reported.

The most populous Arabian country has been under the rule of military strongman Hosni Mubarak for nearly three decades. Mubarak was toppled in early 2011 by nationwide protests.

If possible, the army’s mission should be restricted to safeguarding the country and helping in social development, Sisi said, adding that he will not involve the army interference in politics if he wins presidency.

The 59-year-old Sisi was enjoying an increasing popularity in Egypt. Some Egyptians considered him as “a savior” due to the army’s movement against Islamist supporters.