Lebanese Prime Minister Sa'ad Hariri rescinds resignation: Cabinet

Lebanese Prime Minister Sa'ad Hariri has revoked his resignation, the country’s cabinet says, one month after he made a surprise departure announcement in the Saudi capital of Riyadh and threw the Middle Eastern country into political turmoil.

The Lebanese premier formally rescinded his resignation on Tuesday following a deal reached with rival political parties at the end of the first cabinet meeting to be held since November 4, when he shocked his Mediterranean nation with his bizarre decision.

“The cabinet thanks its leader (Hariri) for his position and for revoking his resignation,” Hariri said, reading from a cabinet statement.

“All (the government's) political components decide to dissociate themselves from all conflicts, disputes, wars or the internal affairs of brother Arab countries, in order to preserve Lebanon's economic and political relations,” the statement further read.

Hariri announced his resignation via a televised speech aired from Riyadh, plunging his nation into political uncertainty. Shortly afterwards, President Aoun accused Riyadh of kidnapping Hariri. International heavyweights such as the European Union, France, and Germany also called on the kingdom to let him return.

Senior sources close to Hariri and top Lebanese officials said Saudi Arabia had coerced the Lebanese premier into stepping down and put him under house arrest. After a nearly three-week absence, Hariri returned to Lebanon on November 22 and put his resignation on hold at Aoun’s request to allow for more consultations on the issue. 

EA