Lebanon's Hariri says he will not run for prime minister

He insists formal consultations to designate new premier take place on Thursday as scheduled

Lebanese President Michel Aoun, left, meets former Prime Minister Saad Hariri at the presidential palace in Baabda, Lebanon. EPA

Lebanon's outgoing Prime Minister Saad Hariri gestures during his meeting with his parliamentary bloc. Dalati Nohra via AP

Foremr Education Minister Hassan Diab attending a conference in the Lebanese capital Beirut in 2012. AFP, file

Lebanese anti-government protesters carry candles and national flags as they march against the incitement of sectarian strife, and for the freedom of religious expression on the 63rd day of Lebanon's nationwide anti-government. EPA

A Lebanese protester gives flowers to security forces during ongoing anti-government demonstrations in the capital Beirut. AFP

An anti-government protester holds an Arabic placard that reads: "You even stole the dream," as she lights a candle in front the riot police. AP

People look out from balconies to view a demonstration near the home of former prime minister Saad Hariri in central Beirut on December 16, 2019. AFP

Lebanese protesters chant slogans as they gather near the home former prime minister Saad Hariri in central Beirut after parliamentary consultations to nominate a new premier were postponed. AFP

Lebanese students from various schools shout slogans and burn history books during ongoing anti-government protests in front the Education Ministry in Beirut, Lebanon 21 November 2019. EPA/NABIL MOUNZER

Anti-government protests in Tripoli, Lebanon. Luke Pierce for The National

Lebanon's Saad Hariri said on Wednesday that he was not a candidate for prime minister, ahead of delayed consultations to give the protest-racked country a new government.

The decision leaves Lebanon's political elite the search for an alternative to lead a Cabinet that must tackle the country's worst economic crisis since the end of its civil war in 1990.

The two sources on Wednesday said Hezbollah and the Amal Movement are likely to name Hassan Diab, a university professor who was education minister from 2011 to 2014, as their preferred choice for next prime minister.

Mr Diab could be the next leader if he gained the backing of other Hezbollah political allies, including the Christian FPM party, with Parliament tilted in their favour.

"I announce that I will not be a candidate to form the coming government," said Mr Hariri, the prime minister in the departing government.

He urged that formal consultations to designate a new premier take place on Thursday as scheduled.

"I am heading tomorrow to take part in the consultations on this basis, insisting that they not be delayed for any reason," Mr Hariri said.

Fifty days after nationwide demonstrations against Lebanon's political elite forced him to step down, the caretaker leader had looked like he might try to keep his seat.

But Mr Hariri said his name was drawing too much opposition for him to be a candidate.

"I have strived to meet their demand for a government of experts, which I saw as the only option to address the serious social and economic crisis our country faces," he said.

Since Mr Hariri quit as prime minister in late October, the main parties have feuded over forming a new government.

Lebanon's economy has been sliding towards default in recent weeks.

But the main political parties have so far failed to meet calls from protesters and international partners to form a credible Cabinet capable of introducing key reforms.

Several names were floated since Mr Hariri resigned on October 29 but his own eventually came back to the fore.

His withdrawal leaves a major question mark hanging over consultations that have already been delayed twice.