Lebanon Prime Minister Hariri Returns to Beirut

Saad Hariri speaks to journalists following his nomination as Lebanese prime minister on November 3, 2016. Photo: AFP

Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri arrived in Lebanon from Cyprus on Tuesday night, more than two weeks after shocking the country by announcing his resignation while in Saudi Arabia.

Mr. Hariri’s first stop since returning to Beirut was the grave of his father, the late Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri. After praying at the grave, Mr. Hariri retired to his home in the city center.

Mr. Hariri is expected to attend Lebanon’s independence day parade in the capital Wednesday. He will then meet with President Michel Aoun, who has said he would not accept Mr. Hariri’s resignation until he received it in person.

The prime minister’s shock resignation announcement on Nov. 4 set off speculation that he had been forced to step down by the Gulf kingdom and was being held there against his will. But he left Saudi Arabia for Paris on Saturday by invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron, before traveling on to Beirut by way of Egypt and Cyprus.

Related Post