State-run Al-Ahram website reported Friday that Omar Suleiman issued a statement saying he would run for president.
"I cannot but meet the call and run in the presidential race despite the constraints and difficulties I made clear in my former statement. I promise to reverse my earlier decision if the needed signatures were ready Saturday," said the statement.
"I promise to exert all effort, relying on God, to accomplish the desired change and complete the goals of the revolution and achieve the hopes of the Egyptian people including security, stability and prosperity," he added.
Hundreds of supporters of the former intelligence chief had rallied in Abbaseyya Square Friday calling on him to run for president in the upcoming election.
MENA said demonstrators plan to stage a massive march to Suleiman’s house in Heliopolis to pressure him. It added that they carried thousands of candidacy signatures which they gathered during the past few days. Also marches coming from Rbaa al-Adaweya mosque in Nasr City and from Maadi and Dokki districts joined demonstrators planning to head to Suleiman's house.
Independent paper Al-Shorouk reported that protesters chanted, "The people want Omar Suleiman."
Major Hussein Sherif, known as the “Guy behind Omar Suleiman” reportedly appeared near the rally. Sherif stood behind Suleiman while the latter delivered Mubarak's resignation statement, broadcasted on the State TV.
Suleiman was appointed vice president by Mubarak during the 18-day uprising against his rule.
