Lebanese PM-designate Saad Hariri announced his resignation from forming the Lebanese government.

After his meeting today with Lebanese President Michel Aoun at the Presidential Palace in Baabda, he said: "I resigned from forming the government," before adding, “May God help our country."

Hariri explained that Lebanese President Michel Aoun had requested fundamental amendments to the government’s formation, and indicated that the position had not changed regarding parliamentary confidence, "and it is clear that we will not agree."

He confirmed that his decision came "after Aoun informed me of the inability to reach consensus."

The Lebanese presidential office said earlier today that Aoun was examining the governmental formation presented by the PM-designate yesterday, and he will meet Hariri to proceed with the consultation.

Aoun had met with the French and American ambassadors Anne Grillo and Dorothy Shea, at the Baabda Palace, who briefed him of the results of their meetings with Saudi officials in Riyadh.

On Wednesday, Hariri presented to President Michel Aoun a government of 24 specialized ministers, according to the initiatives of France and the Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament, Nabih Berri.