Former Indonesian security minister Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who quit after a row with Presidenti Megawati Surkanoputri, has confirmed that he will stand in July's presidential elections.

It had been widely expected that Yudhoyono, who resigned Thursday, would be the Democratic Party's candidate for the July 5 presidential vote, the first direct poll in the country's history.

The former general offered his resignation on Thursday – the first day of campaigning for the April 5 general elections. Megawati accepted his resignation late Friday.

"Mrs. Mega last night issued a letter approving my resignation," Yudhoyono told some 5,000 Democratic Party supporters in the East Java town of Banyuwangi.

"That way, now I can focus on my new duties in the Democratic Party, both as a cadre and a presidential candidate," he said, the state Antara news agency reported.

Before his resignation Yudhoyono had refused to publicly say if he was considering standing for president for the newly established Democratic Party.

Media reports said that Megawati had in recent weeks excluded him from cabinet meetings and failed to consult him on security matters because of suspicions he might run against her.

Yudhoyono, one of Megawati's three most senior ministers, said he resigned after she refused to meet him to sort out their differences.

Other Indonesian political parties have also wooed Yudhoyono to become their presidential or vice presidential candidate.

He is seen as a strong contender for the election, placing third behind Megawati and National Assembly Speaker Amien Rais in one January opinion poll.

Megawati is seen as the favourite to win the presidential election but some analysts said Yudhoyono's exit from the cabinet could hurt her popularity.

Megawati appointed Home Affairs Minister Hari Sabarno to temporarily take Yudhoyono's position.