SANTIAGO, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- Jose Miguel Insulza, the general secretary of the Organization of American States (OAS), said Monday he would not run for president in the next Chilean election.

    At a press conference in Santiago, Insulza announced that he would withdraw as a candidate in Chile's December presidential election. He said he would stay on as general secretary of the OAS, a five-year post he began to serve on May 26, 2005.

    "My name can not inspire more unity among the four parties of the socialist alliance," he said, "The concentration and unity are challenges that we have in the election in December 2009. I feel my stay for any longer time as presidential pre-candidate does not contribute to the unity we need today."

    Analysts said a lack of support from the ruling Democratic Coordination alliance and a small chance to win the election made Insulza decline to run.

    The Chilean government hailed Insulza's decision, saying it would help unite the ruling Democratic Coordination, made up of four leftist parties.

    Insulza expressed support to former president and current senator Eduardo Frei as a candidate of the ruling party. Frei, who is expected to win the nomination, faces Jose Antonio Gomez, another candidate of the ruling coalition, in the April primary.

    President Michelle Bachelet, elected in 2006, must step down in March 2010 as presidents of Chile are barred from serving consecutive terms.