CAIRO, Feb 10 (Aswat Masriya) - Former Chief of Staff Sami Anan has said he will declare his decision on whether to enter the presidential race or not once formal nominations start.

Several popular campaigns had urged Lieutenant General Anan to run for president, yet he has not made any formal statement on the matter.

My decision on whether to run for president or not is still premature, Anan told the London-based Middle East Newspaper on Monday.

"My only goal in being preoccupied with public service is to serve my country."

Anan said that he will make his decision public when the door for nominations opens, the requirements for becoming a presidential candidate are clearly set, and the public is aware of the regulations and mechanisms that regulate the electoral process.

Anan played a role in the post-January 25 Revolution transition phase. He was deputy head of the Supreme Council for Armed Forces.

After his retirement in August 2012, Anan was appointed a military affairs advisor for former President Mohamed Mursi.

In 2013, he tendered his resignation in solidarity with the June 30 protests against Mursi’s rule.