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He then said he had rescinded his resignation.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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