Supporters of Abdel Fattah al-Sisi celebrate victory at Egypt's presidential election before the polls close.

Preliminary results show Sisi with a huge lead.

Celebrations lasted through the night in Tahrir Square, the heart of a popular uprising that toppled Hosni Mubarak in 2011.

President Mohammed Morsi, who replaced Mubarak, was democratically elected and one of the few leaders who was not from the military.

But two years later and fireworks are set off in homage to Sisi, a general.

Many Egyptians see him as as strong figure who can end the country's turmoil.

(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) EGYPTIAN WOMAN, NAGAH AHMED, SAYING:

"I am thrilled, we won't eat or drink if we need to to support him, and we are going to stand by him, because we love Egypt. And also because I am a daughter of the place he is from. But he is the President for all Egyptians, and he is a man who has something to say and who has a personality and we have needed a man for a long ti