Lebanon’s prime minister-designate steps down after months of deadlock

Lebanon’s prime minister-designate Saad Hariri after his meeting with President Michel Aoun (Dalati Nohra via AP)

Lebanon’s prime minister-designate has stepped down citing “key differences” with the president after nine months of political wrangling that failed to put together a government for the crisis-ridden country.

The development is likely to plunge Lebanon further into chaos and uncertainty amid an unprecedented economic breakdown and dim prospects for a recovery package from the International Monetary Fund.