Lebanon FM demands return of Hariri from Saudi Arabia

BEIRUT — Lebanese Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil on Thursday demanded the return of prime minister, Saad Hariri, from Saudi Arabia, where he announced days ago his shock resignation.

"Today we demand the return to the nation of our Prime Minister Saad Hariri," tweeted Bassil.

The foreign minister is the son-in-law of Lebanese President Michel Aoun, who has not yet accepted Hariri's resignation and is awaiting his return before taking any decision.

Hariri announced in a televised speech from Saudi Arabia on Saturday that he was stepping down, citing Iran's "grip" on Lebanon and threats to his life.

The shock announcement raised fears that Lebanon — split into rival camps led by Hariri and the Iranian-backed movement Hizbollah — could once again descend into violence.

It also raised questions about the fate of Hariri, who also holds Saudi nationality, as it coincided with the announcement in Saudi Arabia of an anti-corruption purge in which dozens of princes, ministers and businessmen have been rounded up.

Al Akhbar newspaper, which is close to Hizbollah, has suggested that Hariri was being held "hostage" in Saudi Arabia.

"We have no information [concerning Hariri]. We just want him to return" home, Moustapha Allouch, a member of Hariri's Al Moustaqbal [Future] Party told AFP, commenting on that report.

The party itself issued a statement on Thursday saying Hariri's return was "necessary" and essential for "total respect of Lebanon's sovereignty".

On Sunday, Hizbollah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah said Hariri announced his resignation from Riyadh because it had been imposed by Saudi authorities, and wondered what would happen to the prime minister.

As questions about Hariri’s fate mounted, the resigned premier’s media office on Thursday said he had met at his “Riyadh” home with the French ambassador to Saudi Arabia Francois Gouyette.

Two days earlier he had met in Riyadh with the US charge d’affaires and with the British ambassador Simon Collins.

On Tuesday, official media in the United Arab Emirates said Hariri visited Abu Dhabi where he met Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.