Lebanese prime minister puts resignation on hold
Hariri’s decision to stay caps dramatic few weeks, seen as an embarrassment to Riyadh
BEIRUT— Lebanon’s Prime Minister Saad Hariri walked back his resignation on Wednesday after weeks of intensive international diplomacy aimed at restoring the delicate political balance that has kept the country from being pulled apart by regional tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran.
Hariri’s decision to stay on, provisionally at least, is an embarrassment to Riyadh, which is widely seen as having orchestrated the resignation. But the kingdom’s increasingly activist leadership — led by the 32-year-old crown prince who is spearheading the kingdom’s foreign policy — can take solace in having revived the conversation about the formidable influence wielded in Lebanon by Hezbollah.
The reversal capped a dramatic two and a half weeks that saw Hariri resign suddenly from Riyadh on Nov. 4, then travel to Paris, Egypt and Cyprus, before finally returning home on the eve of Lebanon’s 74th Independence Day celebrations.
Lebanon’s President Michel Aoun received him with a warm embrace at the military parade on Wednesday morning and the two men sat relaxed and appearing to enjoy each other’s company at the viewing stand. Aoun had earlier said he would not accept Hariri’s resignation until the prime minister presented it in person. Wednesday was the first opportunity for face-to-face talks.
Hariri later said he presented his resignation, but was asked by Aoun to retract it and allow time for consultations. He acquiesced and said he was looking forward to a “real partnership with all political forces to put Lebanon’s higher interests before any others.”
The reversal highlights the latest Saudi foreign policy overreach under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, seen as being behind most of the kingdom’s major decisions.
When he resigned, in an uncomfortable, televised statement from Riyadh, Hariri said he was protesting what he called meddling in Arab affairs by Iran and its Lebanese proxy, Hezbollah. Hezbollah is a partner in the coalition government Hariri formed a year ago.
The resignation sparked a political and diplomatic crisis as Lebanese officials accused the kingdom of pressuring the Saudi-aligned politician to step down. The Lebanese, affronted by the developments, rallied around Hariri, unanimously calling for his return in what became an embarrassment for the kingdom.