CAIRO, Feb 13 (Aswat Masriya) Russian President Vladimir Putin told Field Marshal Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Thursday that he supports his presidential bid and wishes him success.

“I know that you have decided to run for Egypt’s presidency and it is a responsible decision for the future of the Egyptian people. I wish you, on behalf of me and the Russian people, success,” RIA Novosti reported Putin as saying.

An Egyptian delegation that includes Egypt’s defense minister and Foreign Minister Nabil Fahmy headed to the Russian capital on Wednesday to discuss bilateral relations.

The visit comes in light of news that the two countries will sign an arms deal worth 2 or 4 billion dollars and in response to a visit made by Russian officials to Cairo in November.

The Egyptian ministers discussed with their counterparts bilateral relations and cooperation between the two countries in a joint meeting in Moscow on Thursday.

Sisi gained wide popularity in Egypt after he ousted Islamist President Mohamed Mursi of the Muslim Brotherhood in July in response to mass demonstrations against his rule.

Egypt's top military council has given Sisi the green light to contest the presidency, but the strong army man has yet to decide whether he will run.

He is expected to win by a majority in the presidential election that will be held in the first half of this year.