Hariri rescinds resignation, month after throwing Lebanon into crisis

Saad Hariri on Tuesday withdrew his resignation as Lebanese prime minister, a month after the shock move drew accusations that Saudi Arabia was holding him hostage and sparked a political crisis.

“The council of ministers thanks the prime minister for rescinding his resignation,” Hariri said, reading from a cabinet statement issued after its first meeting since his return two weeks ago.

Hariri announced he was stepping down on 4 November in a televised address from Saudi Arabia, prompting fears Lebanon would be catapulted into a political and economic tailspin.

The resignation was seen as part of the boiling tensions between the Saudi kingdom – which had long backed Hariri – and its regional rival Iran.

Read the whole story from Middle East Eye.

Featured image courtesy of AP