Egypt's army head General Abdel Fattah El Sissi is now a Field Marshal, the country's top military rank. It is not clear whether the promotion, announced by interim president Adli Mansour, is a prelude to Sissi stepping down from his position and running for president in elections scheduled for the end of April.

The announcement was met with ridicule on social media.

Egyptian Mohamed El Dahshan says Sissi's promotion has an environmental benefit [ar]:

كويس ان السيسي أصبح مشير. عشان نعيد إستخدام لافتات و ستيكرات "يسقط حكم المشير" بتاعت السنين اللي فاتت. (إعادة الإستخدام كويسة للبيئة برضه)

— Mohamed El Dahshan (@eldahshan) January 27, 2014

It's good that Sisi has become a Field Marshal. We can now re-use the banners and stickers which called for overthrowing the Marshal's regime. It is also good for the environment.

From Saudi Arabia, Essam Al Zamil says the promotion is a prelude to him becoming an “ousted president.”

السيسي رقّى نفسه لرتبة مشير. عقبال ما نشوفك رئيس مخلوع أد الدنيا. :)

— عصام الزامل (@essamz) January 27, 2014

Al Sisi has promoted himself to Field Marshall. Let's hope we see him as an ousted president.

While Egyptian Noha Zayed considers another pain:

و الله انا بكل ألم بحمد ربنا ان اخويا مات ( أتقتل علي يد السفاح ده) عشان ميشوفش الي بيحصل ده..يا بختك يا كريم

— Noha Zayed (@NohaZayed) January 27, 2014

With much pain, I thank God that my brother is dead (killed at the hands of this monster) so that he doesn't see what is happening.

And Jordanain Mohammad Al-Abed jokes:

Myself hereby declare myself a 5-star version of myself. #cc #jan25 #egypt

— Mohammad Al-Abed (@Aboosh) January 27, 2014

According to Amr Hussein, Sissi is the fifth person to attain this coveted position:

Only 4 generals were promoted to Field Marshall after successful Mil operations. Tantawy(Gulf War) Gamasy, Abu Gazala and Ismail (1973)

— Amr M Hussein (@AmrGunner1) January 27, 2014