PM attends military parade after return
BEIRUT: Lebanon celebrated its Independence Day with a military parade yesterday attended by the president and the prime minister who returned to Beirut after his shock resignation nearly three weeks ago declared from Saudi Arabia.
The resignation of Saad Hariri prompted a crisis in Lebanon and set off international efforts to prevent the upending of the country’s delicate sectarian-based political order.
Mr Hariri declared his resignation on Nov 4 in a televised speech from Saudi Arabia, in which he said he was protesting meddling in Arab affairs by Iran and its Lebanese ally, Hizbollah. Hizbollah is a partner in the coalition government formed by Mr Hariri a year ago.
President Michel Aoun said he would not recognise the resignation until he hears from Mr Hariri in person. Mr Aoun, and many Lebanese, suspected Mr Hariri was forced to resign by his Saudi backers. Mr Aoun accused Riyadh of holding Mr Hariri against his will.
Lebanese are hoping that with Mr Hariri now home, he will clarify the mysterious circumstances surrounding his resignation. Posters have been erected around Beirut and other cities, welcoming Mr Hariri’s return.
The resignation pushed Lebanon back to the forefront of an intensifying regional feud between Saudi Arabia and Iran, which until recently appeared to have a tacit agreement to keep Lebanon out of their race for influence. His announcement was followed by sharp Saudi rhetoric against Hizbollah, which the kingdom accuses of meddling on Iran’s behalf in regional affairs.
Hizbollah has been fighting on the side of Syrian President Bashar Assad in that country’s six-year civil war, where many of Mr Assad’s enemies are rebels backed by Saudi Arabia. The kingdom says Hizbollah is also advising Houthi rebels waging a war against Yemen’s Saudi-backed government. Hizbollah denies it is militarily supporting the Houthis.
Hizbollah says Saudi Arabia is sowing instability in Lebanon, and accused the kingdom of partnering with Israel to start a war with Lebanon.
Mr Hariri, in his only in depth interview since announcing his resignation, told his media station Future TV that he could retract his resignation if a deal could be struck with his opponents to distance Lebanon from regional conflicts.
At France’s invitation, Mr Hariri left Saudi Arabia to Paris on Saturday. He then travelled to Beirut on Tuesday, stopping first in Cairo and Cyprus for visits with the two countries’ presidents. Mr Hariri is expected to first meet with Mr Aoun and the parliament speaker at the military parade. The three are expected to meet privately after, before Mr Hariri meets with his supporters at his residence in the city centre.
In Cairo, Mr Hariri said he had a long chat with Egypt’s President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi “about the stability of Lebanon and on the need for us as Lebanese to keep our distance from regional issues”.
Lebanon is rife with speculations about what decision Mr Hariri is expected to make: whether to stay in the government, insist on his resignation or make new demands to stay in office in a coalition government.