The head of Egypt's ruling military council says it has no interest in staying in power for a long time, as calls continue to grow for a transition to a civilian government.

The military has been in power since the February ouster of former president Hosni Mubarak, and had promised to hand over control within six months.

But Egyptian state media on Wednesday quoted Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi saying that while the military council has no wish to stay in power, it will not step down until it has fulfilled all it promised to the Egyptian people.

He also said the military does not plan to field a candidate in a planned presidential election.

The country will first hold parliamentary elections, which are set to take place in late November. The presidential vote is planned for after the parliament is seated, and could be held at the end of next year.