Lebanon’s former PM Saad Hariri bows out of political life

By BASSEM MROUE and ZEINA KARAM
Associated Press

BEIRUT (AP) — Lebanon’s former Prime Minister Saad Hariri says he is leaving politics for now and will not be running in May’s parliamentary elections. Hariri’s decision had been anticipated but was still a bombshell for many Lebanese. The family has dominated politics in the small country for decades. His exit leaves the Sunni community with no obvious leader for the time being, amid speculation that the abstention of the moderate Hariri could result in hard-line Sunni politicians playing a bigger role in Lebanese politics.  Hariri’s decision comes after Saudi Arabia — once his main backer — has been distancing itself from the 51-year-old politician. Hariri said several factors were behind his decision, including growing Iranian influence in Lebanon.