Secular Tunisian leftist Moncef Marzouki said Monday that he would run for the presidency in upcoming polls, following the downfall of strongman Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.

"I will, in fact, be a candidate," Marzouki told France Info radio.

Marzouki's Congress for the Republic (CPR) party was banned under Ben Ali's 23-year-long rule, but ought to be allowed to stand in the elections that Tunisia has begun organising since his flight.

The speaker of parliament has assumed the role of interim head of state and has been tasked by the Constitutional Council with organising presidential and legislative polls within 60 days.