Mr Meshaal is seen as being a relatively moderate figure in Hamas The leader of the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas, Khaled Meshaal, does not want to stand for re-election later in the year, the movement has said.
But, in an official statement, Hamas urged Mr Meshaal - who lives in exile in Syria - to reconsider his decision. The choice of leader should be made by Hamas as a whole, not one man, it said.
It is not clear who might replace Mr Meshaal, although Ismail Haniyeh, head of Gaza's government, is a likely candidate.
Hamas, which is branded a terrorist organisation by Israel, the EU and US, has controlled the Gaza Strip since 2007.
Many of its political leaders live in Damascus, but some have recently moved to Gaza because of the current instability in Syria.
'Higher interests'
Khaled Meshaal was appointed overall head of Hamas in 2004, after Israel assassinated the movement's founder, Sheik Ahmed Yassin, and his successor Abdel Asiz Rantissi.
"Political bureau chief Khaled Meshaal has notified Hamas's consultative council that he does not wish to be a candidate for the movement's future leadership," AFP news agency quoted the statement as saying.
But the statement urged Mr Meshaal to leave it to the council to decide whether or not he should leave "on the basis of the higher interests of the movement".
BBC Middle East correspondent Wyre Davies says that in recent months tensions over future strategy have emerged between the leadership in Gaza and those in exile.
As the movement's allies in the Muslim Brotherhood have gained ground across the region in democratic elections after the Arab Spring, some within Hamas say it too should renounce violence and adopt a more moderate approach.
Our correspondent says Mr Meshaal's decision will please those in Gaza who see themselves as more hardline and committed to the struggle with Israel.
But the outgoing leader could re-emerge as a unity candidate for the overall Palestinian leadership in the event of Hamas' reconciliation with rival faction Fatah, say observers.
It is not clear when any election will take place, with the possible date being kept secret for security reasons.
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