Lebanon’s PM Hariri says resignation on hold pending talks
Lebanon’s Prime Minister Saad Hariri said on Wednesday that he had agreed to suspend his surprise decision to resign, at the request of President Michel Aoun, pending talks on the political situation.
The new decision came hours after the premier landed back in Lebanon for the first time since announcing his resignation in a statement from Saudi Arabia on November 4, AFP reported.
“I discussed my resignation with the president of the republic, who asked me to wait before submitting it... and allow for more consultations,” Hariri told reporters. “I agreed to this request.” Lebanon has been gripped by the political crisis precipitated by Hariri’s resignation, including the question of whether the premier was being detained in Saudi Arabia, where he remained for two weeks after stepping down.
Aoun had refused to accept Hariri’s resignation while the premier was still abroad, and even accused Riyadh of having “detained” the prime minister.
Hariri holds dual Saudi-lebanese citizenship, and denied he was being held against his will by Riyadh, a close political ally, but accepted a French invitation to visit Paris, leaving the kingdom on November 18.
After stops in Egypt and Cyprus on Tuesday, he landed in Beirut close to midnight, and on Wednesday appeared at the country’s Independence Day celebrations marking 74 years since the end of France’s mandate in Lebanon.
In announcing his resignation, Hariri had said he feared for his life. He also harshly criticized Iran and the Lebanese resistance movement, Hezbollah.
In Lebanon, the political scene is deeply divided between Hariri’s Saudi-backed bloc, and that led by the powerful Hezbollah group, which is backed by Iran.
Hariri’s decision to suspend his resignation now opens the way for discussions on a possible resolution to the crisis. Hezbollah’s chief, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, has said the group still considers Hariri the country’s prime minister and suggested it was open to talks. “When he comes, we will see. We’re open to all dialogue and discussion,” Nasrallah said on Monday.
If no deal is reached and Hariri’s resignation stands, Aoun has two options: Rename him premier, or choose another prominent Sunni figure to lead a new cabinet.