MK Silvan Shalom announced Monday he will not contend in the upcoming Likud leadership primaries, and blasted Chairman Benjamin Netanyahu for harming the party.

"What is going on today in the Likud is reminiscent of the Baath party in Syria," Shalom said at a press conference.

"There are those who want to stage a coup, but I will not be a part of that," he added.

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The MK was responding to Netanyahu's intention to request the Likud Central Committee approve early leadership primaries at the beginning of September.

Shalom has held senior cabinet positions in previous governments including finance minister and foreign minister, and is an long-time rival of Netanyahu's.

"Yet again Bibi has let emotions supersede logic and judgment. Almost two years ago, in September 2005," Shalom said, refering to Netanyahu by his nickname.

"Bibi read in polls he was beating [former prime minister] Ariel Sharon and so immediately worked for early primaries," he said.

The former foreign minister continued: "What then happened to the Likud? We crashed. Today too, Bibi is reading polls and thinks he needs to act hastily. This exact process, I fear, will have exactly the same result."

Shalom accused Netanyahu managing the party aggressively that has led to the mass departure of activists. "This aggression is an obstacle blocking the progress of the Likud. It is what has brought us the lowest results twice with Bibi's leadership: once with 19 mandates, and once with only 12.

He described his pulling out of the race by saying: "The coming contest in the Likud will be between Bibi and [extreme right-winger] Moshe Feiglin, and the best man will win."

The Likud Central Committee will meet Tuesday to determine the date for the primaries. Committee members will be asked to support Netanyahu's proposal to hold them on September 3.