Lebanese PM Hariri's resignation on hold after talks with Aoun

Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri has temporarily put his resignation on hold following a request by President Michel Aoun for him to reconsider the decision.

“I presented my resignation to President Aoun today and he urged me to wait” for more dialogue and “I showed responsiveness to this hope,” Hariri said following his meeting with Aoun in Beirut on Wednesday.

The premier also underlined his commitment to cooperation with President Aoun.

Hariri stunned the entire nation on November 4, when he announced his resignation in a statement broadcast from Saudi Arabia and plunged his homeland into a new political crisis.

Top Lebanese officials accused, Saudi Arabia of forcing his resignation and detaining him in the kingdom for days before letting him leave.

The premier finally returned home late on Tuesday after visits to France, Cyprus and Egypt.

Earlier today, Hariri along with President Aoun and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri attended a military parade to mark the country’s Independence Day, which brought an end to the French mandate over the country 74 years ago.

After the parade, Hariri attended a meeting with Aoun and Berri.

Hariri is expected to meet with supporters at his residence in downtown Beirut at 1100 GMT upon the invitation of his Future Movement Party.

Before his return, Hariri had promised to explain his views on the crisis in the country.

SS