Iran Press/Middle East: Lebanon has witnessed a political deadlock since the resignation of Hassan Diab's government on August 10 in the wake of the port blasts. Over a month later, former Prime Minister-designate Mustafa Adib announced on September 26 his failure to form a new government.
Hariri announced Monday afternoon that he is “stepping aside from political life” and that he is not going to run in May’s parliamentary elections. He also asked “his Future Movement Family” to do the same.
Hariri asked members of his political party, the Future Movement, to also withdraw from politics.
Hariri, 51, said the party would not present candidates in the elections in May.
“I announce my suspension from politics and I ask my family in the Future Movement to do the same,” he said. “I am not presenting myself as a candidate in the parliamentary elections and am not presenting any candidates from the Future Movement or in the name of the Future Movement.”
Speculation about Hariri's intentions has been rife in Beirut since his return on Wednesday from a several-month stay in the UAE.
Hariri recognized that he had failed to improve living conditions for the Lebanese population. The country's economic meltdown has pushed over three-quarters of the population into poverty.
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