Former military chief of staff Magdi Hatata has announced that he will not run for presidenct of Egypt.

Hatata, whose chances to win the coming presidential elections were by far considered slim in comparison to other candidates, said on Saturday he had a change of heart because of "current political conditions in the country."

“I hope Egyptians would choose a person who is worthy of the country’s leadership,” he said in a brief statement.

Hatata, who served as chief of staff of the Egyptian armed forces from 1995 to 2001, had announced his intention of running for presidency last April.

Throughout his career, Hatata was also appointed as head of the presidential guard and Commander of the Second Field Army.

He was also the chairman of the Arab Organization for Industrialization.