AceShowbiz -

Wyclef Jean has officially withdrawn from Haiti's presidential race. The former The Fugees star announced his decision on Tuesday, September 21 by releasing a statement which read, "After weeks of quiet but painstaking reflection with my wife and daughter, I have chosen to end my bid for the presidency of Haiti."

Although admitting that making the decision was not an easy one, Jean said it was a move he has "thoughtfully made," adding "Some battles are best fought off the field, and that is where we take this now." Now that Jean no longer has his name on the ballots in Haiti's Presidential election this November, he will continue focusing on his music career.

Still, Jean claimed he didn't regret his contest against Haiti's board of election who pronounced he was ineligible for the run. He said, "It's not about my candidacy - this appeal was meant to address the shortcomings of the process for every Haitian. Though my run for the presidency was cut short, in this way, I feel it was not in vain; it's something we can use to improve conditions for my Haitian brothers and sisters."

Wyclef Jeans filed for Haiti presidential contender on August 5. He has since been slammed by fellow stars, including Sean Penn and former The Fugees bandmate Pras, who openly doubted his qualifications in the run. Jean will now dedicate his time for his upcoming album "If I Were President, the Haitian Experience", which will be released in the U.S. in February 2011, Us Magazine reported.