- President Aoun is likely to request foreign help to "end the ambiguity" surrounding the resignation of PM Saad Hariri
- Some media reports have alleged that Hariri, who resigned on Saturday shortly after arriving in Saudi Arabia, is being held by Riyadh
- He said he feared for his life and accused Iran and Hezbollah of taking over his country and destabilizing the broader region
- According to undocumented information, Hariri is supposed to return to Beirut to resign officially at the Presidential Palace
President Michel Aoun is likely to launch an initiative “demanding the help of foreign states” to “end the ambiguity” surrounding the resignation of Prime Minister Saad Hariri and his “will for free movement,” amid reports that Saudi Arabia is to “pledge allegiance” for Hariri's brother Bahaeddine, media reports said Thursday.
“Sources following up on Aoun's declared and undeclared consultations with foreign ambassadors regarding Hariri's situation and his freedom of movement (in Riyadh), said the President may ask the ambassadors for intervention to end the ambiguity surrounding this issue,” al-Joumhouria daily reported.
Some media reports have alleged that Hariri, who resigned as PM on Saturday shortly after arriving in Saudi Arabia, is being held by Riyadh.
Hariri announced his resignation Saturday in a televised speech from the kingdom.
He said he feared for his life and accused Saudi Arabia's arch-rival Iran and its Lebanese ally Hezbollah of taking over his country and destabilizing the broader region.
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Hariri's announcement from Riyadh, which coincided with a Saudi purge of princes, ministers and a billionaire business tycoon, sparked speculation in Lebanon that he quit under duress and was subject to Saudi movement restrictions.
According to Hezbollah-run al-Akhbar daily, “the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has allegedly summoned Bahaeddine Hariri (Saad's brother) to Riyadh and named him for the leadership of al-Mustaqbal Movement,” instead of Saad.
It alleged that the “newly appointed Saudi ambassador to Lebanon, Walid al-Yaaqoubi, had contacted members of the family of late Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, including his wife, Nazek, sister Bahia Hariri and her son, Ahmed, and informed them that the decision has been taken and that Bahaeddine will take over the party's leadership and they have to travel to Saudi Arabia to pledge allegiance, along with Saad.”
The daily said that “PM Hariri has agreed to the above in exchange for his release and that he moves to live in Europe and retire from political life.”
According to undocumented information, Hariri is supposed to return to Beirut first where he will submit his resignation officially at the Presidential Palace.
This article has been adapted from its original source.
