Lebanese President Michel Suleiman is expected to give Saad Hariri, head of the country's anti-Syrian camp, a second chance to form a government, according to a report on Friday by Lebanese daily Al-Akhbar. Hariri announced on Thursday that he was stepping down as Lebanon's prime minister-designate after the Hezbollah-led opposition rejected the cabinet he proposed. Analysts quoted by Bloomberg say that Hariri's decision was aimed at forcing opposition parties to scale back their cabinet demands.

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and Druze leader Walid Jumblat have joined Suleiman in calling on Hariri not to bow out. According to the report, there is broad consensus among various political bodies in the country that Hariri should be reappointed to the task.

Qatari leader, Sheikh Hamad Ben Jassem Ben Jabr II, offered on Thursday to host inter-Lebanese talks. Talks in Doha led to a deal in May 2008 between Lebanon's rival political factions, paving the way for the elections that Hariri won.