Lebanon president voices concern over Hariri situation in Saudi Arabia

Lebanese President Michel Aoun has told foreign diplomats of his concerns over the situation of Saad Hariri, who is said to be held in Saudi Arabia after he announced his resignation in a live broadcast from the kingdom.

In a meeting with foreign ambassadors and representatives of the UN, the EU and Arab League in Lebanon, Aoun called for clarifications of the situation, Lebanese media reported Friday.

According to the reports, the Lebanese leader also told Saudi Charge d’Affaires Walid al-Bukhari that Hariri must return home, describing the circumstances as unacceptable.

The Beirut government has not accepted the resignation, with the Justice Ministry saying he should first return, and that his resignation should be “voluntary” to be formally considered by President Michel Aoun.

Two top Lebanese officials on Thursday told Reuters on condition of anonymity that Hariri is believed to “be held” in the kingdom.

Reuters also quoted a third source, a senior politician close to Saudi-allied Hariri, as saying that Riyadh had forced him to resign and put him under house arrest, while a fourth source said Hariri does not have freedom of movement.

On of the sources had also said“Lebanon is heading towards asking foreign and Arab states to put pressure on Saudi to release Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri,”

 ‘Time for Hariri to return’

On Thursday, top Lebanese politician Walid Jumblatt took to Twitter to call for Hariri’s return.

“Be it forced or voluntary,” he wrote, it is “time for Sheikh Saad to return.”

On Thursday, Hariri’s Future Movement Party called for his return, while Hezbollah backed Aoun’s decision not to accept the resignation. Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri has also said the government will continue to function despite the resignation.

SS