The sudden announcement, was made during a television interview. He said: "The elections aren't elections, they are simply appointments and I want no part of them."

He was referring to to the way large factions were forming election alliances that could result in unfair competition among candidates.
that the Al-Mustaqbal bloc , Hariri's Future Movement, is actively campaigning in the region

Pro-Syrian politicians are facing uphill battles against the powerful anti-Syrian opposition. The anti Syrian opposition wants to make sure that they win a landslide majority in the new parliamnet. This is why they forged alliances that will guarantee the achievement of their objectives.

Karami's move followed similar decisions by a former deputy premier and former legislator Issam Farris, who pulled out of the election race, citing the 2000 election law.

Karami was forced to resign on Feb. 28 under intensive pressure of massive anti-Syrian demonstrations following the Feb. 14 assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.

ya Libnan also learnt that many other candidates and factions are dropping out of the race in various parts of the country. Al-Jamaa al-Islamiya made a similar announcement prior to that of Omar karami's.

The Hariri / Jumblatt alliance with Hizbullah and Berri as well as the Lebanese forces has left the pro Syrian politicians in complete confusion, and very few seems to have the courage to run against them. Every one is now waiting for the results of negotiations between Aoun and the opposition allinace, before forming their own electoral list. So Far Aoun's negotiations with the opposition seems to be facing many obstacles , such that no one seems to be able to speculate any results be it positive or negative.

The only sign so far that some positive results could come out of the said negotiations is the fact that Omar karami is quitting. Omar Karami and Aoun were having serious discusions about cooperating in the North. If an allinace will be formed between the opposition and Aoun, it will cover all Lebanon and this will leave Omar karami and Suleiman Franjieh out.

Sources: Alsafir, VOL, Ya Libnan