BEIRUT (Reuters) -- Lebanon's pro-Syrian prime ministerdesignate said on Wednesday he was stepping down after failingto form a new government to lead the country to generalelections scheduled in May.

Omar Karami's resignation made timely elections moreunlikely and deepened the political crisis triggered by theFebruary assassination of former Prime Minister Rafikal-Hariri.

"We have once again reached a dead end," Karami toldreporters. "That is why I have invited you today to present myresignation."

But Karami said there was still enough time to hold theelections before the current parliament's term expires on May31. The constitution requires the government to call electionsat least a month before the vote.

Lebanon has been without a government since Karami steppeddown on Feb. 28 in the face of popular Lebanese protests overHariri's killing, which many Lebanese blamed on Syria.

Karami was reappointed by parliament days later to form anew cabinet but decided to step down again, after repeatedlyfailing to convince both anti-Syrian opposition members andpro-Syrian allies to join.

Lebanon's anti-Syrian opposition has accused Karami ofprocrastinating in forming a new government to put offelections in which they expect to win a majority in the housenow dominated by allies of Damascus.