Reuters, Paris :
Saad al-Hariri, who resigned as Lebanon’s prime minister this month while in Saudi Arabia, arrived in Paris on Saturday for talks with French President Emmanuel Macron, a statement from Hariri’s press office said.
Hariri told Lebanese President Michel Aoun in a phone call from Paris that he would be in Lebanon on Wednesday for Independence Day celebrations, Aoun said on Twitter.
Hariri will meet Macron at noon and then attend a lunch in his honor with his wife and eldest son, the statement said.
Macron said on Friday he would welcome Hariri to Paris as Lebanon’s prime minister and expected him to return to Beirut in the “coming days, weeks”.
Hariri’s abrupt resignation on Nov. 4 and continued stay in Saudi Arabia has caused fears for Lebanon’s stability. His visit to France with his family is seen as part of a possible way out of the crisis.
Okab Saqr, a member of parliament for Hariri’s Future Movement, had said that after Hariri’s visit to France he would have “a small Arab tour” before traveling to Beirut.
The crisis has thrust Lebanon into the regional rivalry pitting Saudi Arabia and its allies against a bloc led by Iran, which includes the heavily armed Lebanese Shi’ite Hezbollah group.
Aoun, a political ally of Hezbollah, has called Hariri a Saudi hostage and refused to accept his resignation unless he returns to Lebanon. Saudi Arabia and Hariri say his movements are not restricted.
Meanwhile, Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri, who has not returned to Beirut since his surprise resignation two weeks ago, will be home for Independence Day on Wednesday, the president’s office said.
Hariri telephoned President Michel Aoun after arriving in France from Saudi Arabia on Saturday morning, the presidency said in a statement.
“PM Hariri told the president that he would be in Lebanon to take part in Independence Day celebrations, especially the military parade marking the occasion, on Wednesday,” it said.
Hariri flew to Paris at the invitation of France’s President Emmanuel Macron, who is attempting to broker a solution to a political crisis that has raised fears for Lebanon’s fragile democracy.
Hariri, a dual Saudi citizen who has previously enjoyed Riyadh’s backing, announced his resignation on November 4 in a televised address from the kingdom.
He said he feared for his life and accused Iran and its powerful Lebanese ally Hezbollah of destabilising the country.
The shock announcement sparked fears that Lebanon was being caught up in rising tensions between regional arch rivals, Saudi Arabia and Iran.
Hariri’s failure to return from Saudi Arabia only added to the concerns, prompting claims he was being held hostage.
Aoun has refused to accept Hariri’s resignation from abroad, insisting he return home to confirm it or withdraw it.
Saad al-Hariri, who resigned as Lebanon’s prime minister this month while in Saudi Arabia, arrived in Paris on Saturday for talks with French President Emmanuel Macron, a statement from Hariri’s press office said.
Hariri told Lebanese President Michel Aoun in a phone call from Paris that he would be in Lebanon on Wednesday for Independence Day celebrations, Aoun said on Twitter.
Hariri will meet Macron at noon and then attend a lunch in his honor with his wife and eldest son, the statement said.
Macron said on Friday he would welcome Hariri to Paris as Lebanon’s prime minister and expected him to return to Beirut in the “coming days, weeks”.
Hariri’s abrupt resignation on Nov. 4 and continued stay in Saudi Arabia has caused fears for Lebanon’s stability. His visit to France with his family is seen as part of a possible way out of the crisis.
Okab Saqr, a member of parliament for Hariri’s Future Movement, had said that after Hariri’s visit to France he would have “a small Arab tour” before traveling to Beirut.
The crisis has thrust Lebanon into the regional rivalry pitting Saudi Arabia and its allies against a bloc led by Iran, which includes the heavily armed Lebanese Shi’ite Hezbollah group.
Aoun, a political ally of Hezbollah, has called Hariri a Saudi hostage and refused to accept his resignation unless he returns to Lebanon. Saudi Arabia and Hariri say his movements are not restricted.
Meanwhile, Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri, who has not returned to Beirut since his surprise resignation two weeks ago, will be home for Independence Day on Wednesday, the president’s office said.
Hariri telephoned President Michel Aoun after arriving in France from Saudi Arabia on Saturday morning, the presidency said in a statement.
“PM Hariri told the president that he would be in Lebanon to take part in Independence Day celebrations, especially the military parade marking the occasion, on Wednesday,” it said.
Hariri flew to Paris at the invitation of France’s President Emmanuel Macron, who is attempting to broker a solution to a political crisis that has raised fears for Lebanon’s fragile democracy.
Hariri, a dual Saudi citizen who has previously enjoyed Riyadh’s backing, announced his resignation on November 4 in a televised address from the kingdom.
He said he feared for his life and accused Iran and its powerful Lebanese ally Hezbollah of destabilising the country.
The shock announcement sparked fears that Lebanon was being caught up in rising tensions between regional arch rivals, Saudi Arabia and Iran.
Hariri’s failure to return from Saudi Arabia only added to the concerns, prompting claims he was being held hostage.
Aoun has refused to accept Hariri’s resignation from abroad, insisting he return home to confirm it or withdraw it.
