Lebanese PM Hariri returns to Beirut
Beirut, Nov 22 (IBNS): Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri landed in the national capital, Beirut, for the first time since announcing his resignation on Nov 4 while in Saudi Arabia, reports said.
After returning to the nation, he was quoted as saying "Thank you" to the people of Lebanon, which is undergoing a massive political turmoil.
On Nov 4, while during his visit to Saudi Arabia, Hariri unexpectedly announced his resignation, stating that his life faces a threat.
While stepping down, he also took pot shots at Iran.
"Wherever Iran is involved, there is nothing but devastation and chaos," Hariri had said.
The statement didn't go down well with Lebanon and Iran, with the former accusing Saudi Arabia of stating the entire saga and forcing Hariri to resign under pressure.
Saudi Arabia, which is also involved in a verbal battle with Iran, has accused Hezbollah of being Tehran's proxy in Lebanon.
According to experts and political commentators, the main battle between Saudi Arabia and Iran dates back to the age old issue of Shia and Sunni.
While Iran believes in the Shia branch of Islam, which holds that the Islamic prophet Muhammad designated Ali ibn Abi Talib as his successor, Saudi Arabia, the biggest regime in the Middle East, is a Sunni stronghold.
Hezbollah too is a Shia Islamist political outfit and hence has fallen out of favour with the Kingdom of Saud.
Meanwhile, Hariri's resignation was not granted by the Lebanon's President Michel Aoun, who had stated that the former must appear in person and submit his papers.
Hariri, who later flew to Paris to meet with french President Emmanuel Macron, had said that he will take part in Lebanon's Independence celebrations on Wednesday, where he's expected to meet the President and express his desire.
"It is there that I will make known my position... after meeting President Aoun," he was quoted as saying.
Image: Wallpaper
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