LEBANON’S prime minister Saad Hariri has joined Independence Day celebrations in his first official appearance after returning to the country following a near three-week absence.
His appearance came hours after his return, following his sudden resignation statement issued from Saudi Arabia, which stunned Lebanon.
Hariri’s resignation on November 4 was not accepted by President Michel Aoun, who said he wanted to hear from him in person first.
His televised resignation from Saudi Arabia sparked a political and diplomatic crisis as Lebanese officials accused the Gulf kingdom, which is feuding with Iran for influence in the region, of forcing him to resign and detaining him for days.
Hariri has been silent since, and the Lebanese are hoping his return will help clear up the mysterious circumstances surrounding his resignation. His resignation set off international efforts, led by France, to prevent the upending of the country’s delicate sectarian-based political order.
He appeared yesterday with Aoun and parliament speaker Nabih Berri in his first official appearance. Even if his resignation is accepted, Hariri will still be caretaker prime minister until a new government is formed.
He is expected to meet Mr Aoun and the speaker privately after the parade, and will then meet supporters at his residence in the city centre.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here