Former Minister Ziad Baroud issued the following statement:

"Yesterday, I announced that I would not be part of the competition if a broad national consensus was reached on the name of the president. I would like to express my gratitude to the ladies and gentlemen of parliament who honored me with their support, and I hereby announce my withdrawal, pledging to the Lebanese people that I will continue to stand alongside them as one of the fighters for the republic, wishing the incoming president all the best."