Hariri puts resignation on hold, easing crisis
PM PLEDGES TO STAY IN LEBANON AND PROTECT ITS STABILITY
Lebanon’s Prime Minister Sa’ad Hariri said yesterday he was suspending his surprise resignation, pending talks, providing a potential way out of a political crisis that has rocked the country.
And in a rousing address before large crowds of supporters gathered outside his Beirut home, he pledged he would stay in the country and protect its “stability.”
Lebanon has been thrown into turmoil by Hariri’s shock November 4 announcement from Saudi Arabia that he was stepping down, as well as his prolonged absence afterwards.
Hours after his arrival back in Beirut, Hariri met with President Michel Aoun, who had refused to accept the premier’s resignation until he returned to Lebanon.
“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 afterwards. “I agreed to this request.” Hariri said he hoped his decision would “allow for a responsible dialogue in a serious manner... that would settle disputes.” The decision brings down the temperature after weeks of tensions.
Meanwhile, Cypriot president said he would try to help defuse the crisis in his neighbouring country after Hariri made an unexpected stopover on the island on Tuesday night. Hariri met Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades at Larnaca airport for about 45 minutes.
Lebanon’s Prime Minister Sa’ad Hariri announced yesterday he was putting his resignation on hold to give way for more consultations nearly three weeks after he unexpectedly announced he was stepping down, in a stunning reversal.
In surprise conciliatory comments from the presidential palace, Hariri said he is putting Lebanon’s interest first and is looking forward to a “real partnership” with Lebanese President Michel Aoun.
He said he presented his resignation to Aoun at the presidential palace, but then responded to Aoun’s request to take more time for consultations, “hoping it will constitute a serious introduction for (national) dialogue”.
“Our beloved nation needs in this critical period exceptional efforts from everyone to protect it in the face of dangers and challenges,” Hariri said in a statement from the presidential palace. He reiterated the need for Lebanon to remain neutral on regional disputes and conflicts “and all that undermines internal stability and brotherly relations with Arab brothers.”
He told cheering supporters that he was staying. “I’m staying with you... we’re continuing together, to be the first line of defence for Lebanon and its stability,” Hariri, looking buoyed and combative, told a large crowd gathered in front of his home.
‘Thank you’
“You’re teaching the world loyalty, thank you, thank you, thank you,” he said, wearing a dark blue sports jacket as he addressed hundreds of supporters waving flags with the colours of his Future Movement.
Hariri’s mysterious televised resignation from Saudi Arabia had sparked a political and diplomatic crisis.
Posters have been erected around Beirut and other cities welcoming Hariri’s return.
The reversal is also a win for French President Emanuel Macron, whose mediation succeeded in getting Hariri out of Saudi Arabia to Paris for a few days. He returned to Lebanon on Tuesday night following brief stops in Egypt and Cyprus.
Earlier yesterday, Hariri participated in Independence Day celebrations, his first official appearance since his resignation.
Hariri’s resignation on November 4 was not accepted by President Michel Aoun, who said he wanted to hear from Hariri in person first.
The premier had cited Iran and its Lebanese proxy Hezbollah’s meddling in the region as a reason for his decision to step down, and also cited concerns for his own safety in Lebanon. Hezbollah is a partner in the coalition government formed by Hariri a year ago.
His resignation plunged Lebanon in turmoil and triggered concern that the tiny country, which has enjoyed relative calm amid a Middle East on fire, would again be dragged to the forefront of the intensifying regional rivalry between Saudi Arabia and Iran. It set off international efforts, led by France, to prevent the upending of the country’s delicate sectarianbased political order.
The announcement that he was stepping down was followed by sharp Saudi statements against Hezbollah, which the kingdom accuses of meddling on Iran’s behalf in regional affairs. Hezbollah has been fighting on the side of Syrian President Bashar Al Assad in that country’s six-year civil war, where many of Al Assad’s enemies are rebels backed by Saudi Arabia.
The kingdom says Hezbollah is also advising Al Houthi militants waging a war against Yemen’s legitimate, Saudi-backed government. 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.