Lebanese President Demands Explanation from Saudis Over PM Hariri Detention

Michel Aoun says Prime Minister Saad Hariri, who announced his resignation in a broadcast from Saudi Arabia, has been “kidnapped” and must have immunity.

Aoun made the remarks in a meeting with foreign ambassadors in the capital Beirut, a senior unnamed Lebanese official told Reuters on Saturday.

The Lebanese president added that anything Hariri has said or may say “does not reflect reality” due to the mystery surrounding his status since his shock resignation in a broadcast from Saudi Arabia.

It has been a week since Hariri appeared on a Saudi satellite channel and announced his resignation.

But it is not being accepted unless he delivers it on Lebanese soil.

In Lebanon, political parties and factions have all asked for the return of the prime minister. His own party, the Future Movement, says it has not heard from him since Saturday.

In a televised speech on Friday, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, Hezbollah's leader, accused Saudi Arabia of forcing Hariri to quit and holding him against his will say such an acts is tantamount to declaration of war on Lebanon.