A military source has denied reports that the army is behind the "Egypt Above All Coalition" that is calling for Field Marshall Mohamed Hussein Tantawi to be the country’s next president.

The source said the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF), which have been ruling the country since Mubarak was ousted in February, is committed to its promise to transfer power to a civilian authority after the transitional period has ended. The source added that the coalition, which uses the slogan “The candidacy of Tantawi is a popular request for the country’s stability,” is not linked to the army in any way.

“We are in a transitional period and we will hand over power to a civil authority after parliamentary, Shura Council and presidential elections,” the source said. “Those who are saying down with the military council are asking for the fall of Egypt. The people respect us and know how loyal we are.”