Defence minister field Marshal Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi has resigned from the army in order to run for the country’s presidency.

His resignation was announced via a televised address, according to the state-owned Ahram online.

The presidential elections are planned to start on 30 March.

According to Ahram, Al-Sisi said his decision to run in the election will not prevent others from running. As yet, there are few other contenders.

It has been widely anticipated that Al-Sisi will run as president after receiving the backing of the military in early 2014.

He has been seen as the figurehead of the interim government that has been in place since last July after the former Muslim Brotherhood-backed President Mohamed Mursi was ousted from power.