Prime Minister Hariri Puts off Resignation at President Aoun’s Request

Lebanon’s Prime Minister Saad Hariri declared Wednesday from Baabda Palace his decision to stall his resignation at the request of President of the Republic, Michel Aoun.

“I offered my resignation to the President, who wished that I keep it pending to allow for further deliberations on its causes and background, and I responded to this wish in the hope that it would constitute a dialogue to address the controversial issues at stake and their implications on Lebanon’s relations with the Arab brethren,” Hariri went on.

“Our nation requires the extraordinary efforts of everyone to protect it in the face of dangers, so we have to adhere to the policy of self-distancing from regional conflicts and anything that harms relations with Arab brethren,” Hariri concluded., according to the Lebanese National News Agency (NNA).

 Returning Hariri Attends Independence Military Parade

Lebanon’s three top leaders gathered Wednesday to celebrate the country’s 74th Independence Day with a military parade, meeting for the first time since Prime Minister Saad Hariri resigned from Saudi Arabia earlier this month in a move that stunned the country.

Wednesday’s parade comes hours after Hariri returned to Lebanon after being held in Saudi Arabia for three weeks.

The resignation of Hariri on Nov. 4 prompted a crisis in Lebanon and set off international efforts.

H.M