Hariri postpones resignation at request of Lebanese President

Saad Hariri said on Wednesday he would postpone his resignation at the request of President Michel Aoun.

"I presented today my resignation to President Aoun, and he urged me to wait before offering it, and to hold onto it for more dialogue about its reasons and political background, and I showed responsiveness," Hariri said in a televised statement.

Hariri arrived in Lebanon on Wednesday to attend independence day celebrations after a nearly three week absence following his surprise November 4 announcement from Saudi Arabia that he would resign. He also cited unspecified threats to his life.

The resignation announcement sparked a regional diplomatic and political crisis, with some senior Lebanese officials and politicians accusing Saudi Arabia of forcing Hariri to resign under pressure.

President Aoun had said he would not accept Hariri’s resignation until he spoke with the prime minister in person.



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