Mohammad Safadi, a former Lebanese finance minister mooted to replace caretaker prime minister Saad al-Hariri in the face of nationwide anti-government protests, has withdrawn his candidacy for the post. In a statement issued over the weekend, Safadi said it would be “difficult to form a harmonious government supported by all political sides that could take the immediate salvation steps needed to halt the country’s economic and financial deterioration and respond to the aspirations of people in the street.” Hariri submitted his resignation last month after street protests over the cost of living and perceived government corruption paralyzed much of the country. Together with President Michel Aoun, Hariri had suggested that the job go to Safadi, a prominent businessman who served as finance minister from 2011 to 2014, and before that as minister of economy and trade.
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