Saudis ‘holding Lebanon premier’

Lebanon’s president has accused Saudi Arabia of detaining his country’s prime minister, an escalation in the crisis that followed Saad Hariri’s surprise resignation from the kingdom almost two weeks ago.

In comments published on the official Twitter account of the president, Michel Aoun said nothing justifies the fact Mr Hariri has not returned home. “We consider him detained, arrested” in violation of international laws, Mr Aoun said.

It was the first time Mr Aoun described Mr Hariri as a detainee. He had previously only questioned the “mysterious” circumstances of his resignation.

The rhetoric further deepens the crisis with Saudi Arabia, which is a backer of Mr Hariri, a dual Saudi-lebanese national.

Many believe Mr Hariri’s decision was dictated by the kingdom amid its intensifying feud with Iran over influence in the region. Iran supports Mr Hariri’s main rival in Lebanon, the Shiite militant group Hezbollah.