Lebanon’s Sunni sect wants Saad Hariri to be prime minister, businessman Samir Khatib said on Sunday after meeting Lebanons top Sunni cleric, spelling the end of his own candidacy for the position and prolonging the countrys political crisis. Hariri quit on Oct. 29, prompted by protests against the corruption and mismanagement of Lebanons ruling elite. The protests have continued since then and Lebanon is in dire need of a new government to start tackling an economic crisis. The prime ministers post is reserved for a Sunni in Lebanons sectarian power-sharing system. Hariri said last week he backed Khatib as consensus appeared to emerge among Lebanons main parties on him being designated in formal consultations that President Michel Aoun is due to convene on Monday. But Khatib, speaking after a meeting with Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Latif Derian at Dar al-Fatwa, said the mufti backed Hariri. "I learnt ... that as a result of meetings and consultations and contacts with the sons of the (Sunni) Islamic sect, agreement was reached on nominating Saad Hariri to form the coming government," Khatib said. Khatib later headed to Hariris Beirut residence, the Center House. “I apologize with a good conscience from completing the journey to which I have been nominated,” he said following talks with the caretaker PM. Hariri had said he would only return as prime minister if he could lead a government of specialist ministers which he believes would be best placed to deal with the crisis and attract foreign aid. But his demand was rejected by groups including Hezbollah and the Free Patriotic Movement that has been founded by Aoun. Both say the government must include politicians.