Lebanon's Saad al-Hariri said on Tuesday he did not want to be prime minister of a new government, putting the onus on adversaries including the Iran-backed group Hezbollah to find an alternative who can steer the country out of crisis.

"I am sticking by the rule 'not me, rather someone else' to form a government that addresses the aspirations of the young men and women," Hariri said in a written statement.

"I have full hope and confidence, after announcing this clear and decisive decision, that the president of the republic ... will immediately call the binding parliamentary consultations" to designate a new prime minister, he said.

Hariri quit on October 29 in the face of nationwide protests against Lebanon's ruling elite over rampant state corruption. Since his resignation, Lebanon's bitterly divided political leaders have yet to name a new premier or form a new government.

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The political deadlock has frustrated demonstrators who have staged persistent protests since October 17 and the demonstrators say they will reject any government that consists of representatives of the established parties.

President Michel Aoun, a Maronite Christian allied to Hezbollah, must now hold official consultations with members of parliament to designate a new prime minister. The candidate with the greatest support will be nominated.

Aoun's consultations with lawmakers are expected to be held on Thursday or Friday, according to Reuters.

A prominent contractor mooted by political sources as a candidate, Samir Khatib, told Lebanese broadcaster MTV he was ready to take on the job if there was consensus in his favor.

A statement from Hariri's office denied he had proposed names currently circulating on social media and said his choice would be determined when the formal process of designating the prime minister had begun.