Lebanon's PM Hariri puts resignation on hold

Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri announced on Wednesday he was putting his resignation on hold, more than two weeks after he shocked the country by saying he was stepping down, Khaleej Times reported. He made his declaration from the Baabda Presidential Palace in Lebanon after he held talks with the president and participated in the country’s Independence Day parade.

Hariri said he had accepted President Michel Aoun's wish for him to suspend his resignation to allow for more consultations on the reasons for the move, CNN reported.

Hariri announced his resignation on November 4 while in Saudi Arabia, saying he feared his life was in danger. Aoun said at the time Hariri was being held against his will in Riyadh and speculation swirled in Lebanon that he was being held hostage.

Hariri finally returned to Lebanon on late Tuesday where his first stop was the grave of his father former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, who was assassinated in 2005. Hariri left Riyadh for Paris at the weekend. He journeyed back to Beirut on Tuesday, stopping in Egypt and Cyprus.

Earlier on Wednesday, Hariri attended an Independence Day military parade in Beirut before meeting the President.

Hariri had denied speculation that Saudi Arabia forced him to resign and then detained him in an attempt to curb the influence of Iran and its Lebanese proxy Hezbollah, which is part of Lebanon's national unity government formed last year.

Meanwhile Lebanese President Michel Aoun In a speech on the eve of Lebanon’s Independence Day on Tuesday stressed that his country adopted its policy of disassociation to avoid getting embroiled in conflicts. He called on the Arab League to “take an initiative based on the principles, objectives and spirit of its Charter, in order to save itself and its member States.”

“In my inaugural speech, I declared that one of our top priorities was to prevent any spark from the raging flames around us to move into Lebanon’s inner space. I affirmed the need for Lebanon to distance itself from external conflicts and to be committed to respecting the Arab League Charter – notably its 8th article.

“We therefore have adopted a totally independent policy, we have avoided entering into disputes and we have called – and are still calling – for dialogue and harmony among Arab brothers because in internal wars there is inevitable loss for the victorious, as well and as for the defeated, and the two statuses are meaningless because the great loss befalls the nation.”

Aoun then listed Lebanon’s confrontation against terrorism on its eastern borders.

The terrorist groups sought to create instability and sow strife, he added.

“To the Lebanese, I say: with your unity you have overcome many hardships, crises and dangers. Do not let strife peek out among you because it represents mass destruction that no one will survive. Your unity is your sole savior, your security, your stability and the future of your country and children,” he declared.