BEIRUT — Lebanon's outgoing prime minister on Tuesday announced that he will not head the next government, a move he said aims to expedite the formation a new Cabinet in the protest-hit country.

Saad Hariri had submitted his administration's resignation on Oct. 29, bowing to popular pressure from a nationwide street movement demanding a complete government haul.

Nearly a month later, the country's bitterly divided political leaders have yet to name a new premier or form a new government, frustrating demonstrators who have staged persistent protests since Oct. 17.

In response to the "irresponsible practices" of political leaders, Hariri said he felt compelled to make his intentions known.

"I announce to the Lebanese people that I strongly adhere to the rule of 'not me, but someone else'" he said in a statement.

Hariri did not name an alternative candidate, but said his decision aims to "open doors to a solution".

He hoped President Michel Aoun would "immediately call for binding parliamentary consultations to appoint a new premier".

No date has been set for the necessary consultations to pave the way for a new Cabinet line-up, despite mounting international pressure.

Officials from the Free Patriotic Movement, a major Christian party founded by Aoun, have accused Hariri of delaying the process by refusing to accept any other candidate for the premiership, a charge the Sunni Muslim denies.

A former finance minister, Mohamad Safadi, had been considered to replace Hariri but withdrew his bid after more protests.

Meanwhile, protesters remained defiant Monday after supporters of main Shiite groups Hezbollah and Amal attacked demonstrators overnight, sparking a UN call to keep protests peaceful.

Political parties "are trying to instill fear in us as a people, so we don't progress and stay at home," said Dany Ayyash, 21, who was blocking a key road in Beirut's Hamra district.

But "the attack gave us all — at least the ones here right now — a sense of determination," Ayyash said.

At around midnight on Sunday, backers of Hezbollah and Amal attacked demonstrators at a flyover near the capital's main protest camp.

Brandishing party flags, they hurled stones at demonstrators and taunted them as riot police deployed to contain the violence.

The attackers also ravaged a nearby encampment, tearing down tents and damaging storefronts in their most serious assault on protesters so far.

At least 10 demonstrators were injured, civil defense said.

On Monday evening, supporters of the two Shiite parties drove by Beirut's Martyrs' Square, where the main protest camp is located, pelting tents with stones before speeding away on motorcyles, an AFP correspondent said.

The UN Security Council called for all actors to maintain "the peaceful character of the protests by avoiding violence and respecting the right to peaceful assembly in protest". — Agencies