Lebanon’s Prime Minister-designate Hariri steps down

By Wassim Seifeddine
BEIRUT, Lebanon (AA) – Lebanese Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri announced on Thursday that he was stepping down from forming a government.
This came in a press conference held by Hariri after meeting with President Michel Aoun at the Presidential Palace, east of the capital, Beirut.
"President Aoun's position has not changed, and the amendments he requested are essential and affect the nomination of Christian ministers," Hariri said.
He added: "[President Aoun] told me that it is difficult to reach a consensus, so I stepped down and May Allah help the country."

*Writing by Mahmoud Barakat