CAIRO, March 26 (Reuters) - Egypt's army chief, Field Marshal Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, met military leaders on Wednesday to say he was resigning as defence minister so he can run for the presidency, the state-run Al-Ahram newspaper reported on its website.

Quoting a military source, Al-Ahram said General Sisi was expected to announce the decision in a broadcasted statement.

Gen Sisi, who deposed President Mohamed Mursi last year after mass protests against Mursi's rule, is widely expected to win the election.