Lebanese Prime Minister Withdraws Resignation

In a statement he read after the cabinet concluded its extraordinary session held in Baabda Palace and chaired by President Michel Aoun, Hariri stressed that Lebanon sticks to the dissociation policy and Taef Accord.
 
“The cabinet thanks its leader (Hariri) for his position and for revoking his resignation,” Hariri said, reading from a cabinet statement.
 
“The government has unanimously approved a statement pledging compliance with a policy of dissociation, the president’s oath of office in terms of dissociating the country from regional conflicts and non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries,” he added.
 
Aoun and Hariri held a closed door meeting before the government session began.
 
Hariri announced his resignation via a live televised speech aired from Riyadh, plunging his nation into political uncertainty. He accused Iran and Hezbollah of sowing strife in the Arab world, an allegation rejected by both sides.
 
Shortly afterwards, President Aoun accused Riyadh of kidnapping Hariri. International heavyweights such as the European Union, France, and Germany also called on the kingdom to let him return.
 
Reliable sources close to Hariri and top Lebanese officials said Saudi Arabia had coerced the Lebanese premier into stepping down and put him under house arrest.
 
After a nearly three-week absence, Hariri returned to Lebanon on November 22 and put his resignation on hold at Aoun’s request to allow for further consultations.