In Lebanon, former finance minister Mohammad Safadi withdrew his candidacy to be the next prime minister of the country.

In a statement in Beirut, he said it is 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 protestors.

His decision to withdraw has stalled efforts to form a new government needed to enact urgent reforms after prime minister Saad al-Hariri resigned last month.