Lebanese crisis after death plot
LEBANON’S Prime Minister, Saad al-Hariri, has resigned, saying he believes there’s an assassination plot against him and accusing Iran and its Lebanese ally Hezbollah of sowing strife in the Arab world.
His resignation, which surprised Beirut’s political establishment, has brought down the coalition government and plunged Lebanon into a new political crisis.
It thrust Lebanon into the front line of a regional competition between Sunni Saudi Arabia and Shi’ite Iran that has also buffeted Syria, Iraq, Yemen and Bahrain. A Saudi government minister said Mr Hariri was in Riyadh to ensure his safety.
Mr Hariri, who is closely allied with Saudi Arabia, alleged in a broadcast from an undisclosed location that Hezbollah was “directing weapons” at Yemenis, Syrians and Lebanese.
In comments directed at Iran, he said the Arab world would “cut off the hands that wickedly extend to it”.
Mr Hariri’s coalition, which took office last year, grouped nearly all of Lebanon’s main parties, including Hezbollah.
It took office in a deal that made Michel Aoun, a Hezbollah ally, president, and was seen as a victory for Iran.
The resignation risks exacerbating sectarian tensions between Sunni and Shi’ite Muslims and returning Lebanon to paralysis in government.
“We are living in a climate similar to the atmosphere that prevailed before the assassination of martyr Rafik al-Hariri. I have sensed what is being plotted covertly to target my life,” Mr Hariri said, referring to his father.
Rafik al-Hariri was killed in a 2005 Beirut bomb attack that pushed his son, Saad, into politics and set off years of turmoil.
A UN-backed tribunal has charged five Hezbollah members over the killing. Hezbollah denies involvement.
The Saudi-owned pan-Arab television channel al-Arabiya al-Hadath reported that an assassination plot against Mr Hariri was foiled in Beirut days ago, citing an unnamed source.
Saudi Arabia’s Gulf Affairs Minister Thamer al-Sabhan said Mr Hariri’s security detail had “confirmed information” of a plot to kill him.