Egyptians launched a social media campaign calling on Sisi to step down

Egypt's president, Abdel El Fatah al-Sisi swore that he would step down from office if he loses the upcoming 2018 presidential elections.

"I swear to God Almighty, if Egyptians don't want me to stay another second in this position I won't," Sisi said, during a Q&A session at the third National Youth Conference on Tuesday, Middle East Eye reported.

The president will be running for a second term in 2018 and stressed that he would respect the outcome, regardless of whether he wins or not.

A few minutes after his interview was broadcast on live television the hashtag #مش_عايزين_السيسي (#We_Do_Not_Want_Sisi), went viral on social media with thousands of Egyptians calling for his resignations. 

"The hashtag was trending worldwide on Tuesday and Wednesday, and was the No 1 trend in Egypt on both Facebook and Twitter," Middle East Eye reported. 

In 2013, Sisi led a military coup that overthrew Egypt's then president, Mohamed Morsi, following mass protests against the Islamist leader.

He then ran for elections in 2014, winning with 96 percent of the vote after standing largely uncontested. 

Since then, his popularity has been rapidly declining amid a crippling economic crisis and intense crackdowns on rights and freedoms in the country.

"I was a Sisi supporter but now that I've witnessed his crimes against innocent people, I'd like to ask him to: leave, leave, leave."  

"#We_Do_Not_Want_Sisi because under your rule human lives have become cheap and so has Egyptian soil."

"Leave! Let this country see the light."

"Down with the military rule."

"I can't even afford my children's basic needs, things have become unbearable, and our debt is mounting."  

"You tell people to be patient... we've been patient for 65 years under   military rule, listening to the same speeches that have let us down." 

"LEAVE!"

"I'll re-elect the humane, decent president... one who protected his country."  

"I'll elect you again, and if I could I'd change Egypt's constitution and make sure you stay president for life! God Bless you."  

"May God be with you."