Rock sends regrets, won't run to lead Liberals

Allan Rock, a former Liberal cabinet minister who's now Canada's ambassador to the United Nations, has joined the list of those not running for the Liberal party leadership.

• INDEPTH: Liberal Leadership

"I know there has been speculation, but I'm not going to be a candidate," Rock told the Globe and Mail.

Rock began a campaign to replace Jean Chrtien as Liberal leader in 2003, but dropped out of that race. The winner, Paul Martin, gave him the UN job in 2004.

• FROM JAN. 15, 2003: Rock opts out of Liberal leadership race before it begins

Rock won't run this time to replace Martin, who announced his planned departure following the Jan. 23 general election in which Stephen Harper's Conservatives won a minority government.

• FROM FEB. 1, 2006: 'My time has passed': Liberal leadership hopeful Tobin steps aside

Rock joins the list of other high-profile names opting out of the race: Frank McKenna, the departing ambassador to the United States; and former Chrtien cabinet ministers John Manley and Brian Tobin.