Lebanese
PM Hariri revokes resignation after consensus deal
Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri revoked his
resignation Tuesday following a consensus deal reached with rival political
parties, marking an end to one of the most bizarre interludes in Lebanese
politics.The announcement came at the end of the first Cabinet meeting to be
held since Lebanon was thrown into a political crisis following Hariri's
stunning move a month ago.Hariri announced his resignation in a Nov 4 televised
broadcast from Saudi Arabia, citing Hezbollah's meddling in regional affairs as
a main reason for stepping down.
The nature of the announcement raised suspicions
that it was orchestrated by Saudi Arabia, his main backer.The move thrust
Lebanon to the forefront of the regional rivalry between Saudi Arabia and Iran
and shattered the national unity government that Hariri headed.
Following French mediation to bring Hariri out
of Saudi Arabia to Paris for a brief visit, he returned to Lebanon on Nov 21
and put the resignation on hold to allow for consultations.Tuesday's Cabinet
meeting, attended by Hariri, endorsed a statement that calls on rival Lebanese
groups to distance themselves from regional conflicts and the internal affairs
of Arab countries.
“The Lebanese government, through all its
political components, disassociates itself from any conflicts or wars, as well
as the internal affairs of Arab countries to protect Lebanon's political and
economic relations with its Arab brothers,” Hariri said.He then said he had
rescinded his resignation.It is not clear what, if anything, the agreement
entails.Hariri has complained about the militant Hezbollah group's meddling in
regional affairs, including the affairs of Gulf countries a reference to Yemen,
where Saudi Arabia is fighting Houthi rebels.Hezbollah denies having a military
role in warn-torn Yemen.
Two days before Hariri returned to Lebanon, the
group said its fighters are coming back from Iraq now that the militant Islamic
State group has been defeated there.Hezbollah has sent thousands of fighters to
Syria to shore up President Bashar Assad's forces
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