Egypt government has resigned - Prime Minister Hazem Al Beblawi

Cairo: Egypt's military-backed government has resigned, Egyptian Prime Minister Hazem Al Beblawi said on Monday.

State-run Al Ahram broke the news on Monday. It is likely to pave the way for army chief Field Marshal Abdul Fattah Al Sissi to declare his candidacy for president.

The newspaper, citing an unnamed source in a report on its website, said the decision was made after a 15-minute cabinet meeting. For Al Sissi to run for president, he would first need to leave his post of defense minister.

"This was done as a step that was needed ahead of Al Sissi's announcement that he will run for president," an Egyptian official told Reuters.

Al Sissi unveiled a political roadmap meant to lead to elections after toppling Islamist President Mohammad Mursi of the Brotherhood in July following mass protests against his rule.

Mursi's removal triggered the bloodiest political crisis in Egypt's modern history, with security forces killing hundreds of his supporters and jailing thousands. Hundreds of security personnel have also died in the turmoil.