Lebanese businessman Samir Khatib said on Sunday there was a consensus for nominating Saad al-Hariri as prime minister again to form a new government, speaking after a meeting with Lebanon's top Sunni Muslim religious leader.

The statement spelt the end of Khatib's candidacy for the post which is reserved for a Sunni Muslim in Lebanon's sectarian power-sharing system. Hariri quit as prime minister on Oct. 29, prompted by protests against the ruling elite.

Reuters