BEIRUT: Lebanon's pro-Syrian prime minister stepped down on Wednesday, abandoning efforts to form a government to lead the country to general elections, but said there was still time to hold the poll as expected in May. Prime Minister Omar Al Karami's resignation seemed to make timely elections more unlikely and deepened the political crisis triggered by the February assassination of former prime minister Rafik Al Hariri. Karami, who has now quit twice in six weeks, said he had hit a wall in trying to form a cabinet, whose main task would be to supervise the elections, which the United States and United Nations say must go ahead on time. "We have once again reached a dead end," Karami told reporters. "That is why I have invited you today to present my resignation." An official said President Emile Lahoud would hold consultations with lawmakers on Friday to designate a new prime minister. Pro-Syrian MPs are a majority in the assembly and the new prime minister is expected to be a Damascus ally.