Alwaght-Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri has announced his resignation in a televised speech from Saudi Arabia.
Delivering the resignation statement, Hariri calimed that the dominating political atmosphere resembles that which preceded the assassination of his father, the former PM Rafik Hariri, adding that he hopes that the Lebanese would be able to overcome the internal and foreign interference.
Hariri read his resignation statement, which included unfounded and baseless claims against Iran and Hezbollah movement, following his visits to Saudi Arabia.
He became prime minister in 2016 after serving another term between November 2009 and June 2011.
Saad Hariri is the son of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri, who was assassinated in 2005. Hariri has also been the leader of the Future Movement party since 2005.
Meanwhile, in a statement, Lebanon's President, Michel Aoun’s says he was informed by telephone of Prime Minister Saad Hariri’s government resignation.
“President Aoun received a telephone call from Prime Minister Saad Hariri, currently outside Lebanon, informing him of the resignation of his government,” a statement by his office said.
The statement added that President Aoun is awaiting the return of Hariri to Beirut to know more about the circumstances of his resignation.
Hariri's resignation while in Saudi Arabia points to Riyadh's negative influence in Lebanon aimed at stirring sectarian strife and political turmoil in the country.
Analysts say Hariri's decision to make the announcement in Riyadh implies that he did not have control over his government or Lebanon.
