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Welcome to this BBC News special.

I'm Lisa to set in Cairo at the Presidential Palace

to meet Egypt's new strongman, President Abdul Fata Al-Sisi.

After spending four decades in the military,

he came to power in elections last year,

after the controversial ousting of the elected Muslim Brotherhood.

He says he has a roadmap for democracy,

but not everyone is convinced.

What are his plans for his own country?

And what about Egypt's wider role in the region

where attacks by the so-called Islamic State continue to grow?

President Abdul Fata Al-Sisi, thank you very much for making time

to speak to the BBC.

Thank you.

But for the introduction, please let me speak about this.

Yes, there is a genuine roadmap for real democracy in Egypt.

We want to carry out the will of the Egyptian people.

That is our ultimate goal.

They have been calling for change for a better future for years.

...