Alwaght-Lebanese Parliament speaker says the country's government remains intact despite the abrupt resignation of Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri while on a visit to Saudi Arabia this week.
“The Lebanese, despite all the crises they have faced, have managed to overcome all difficulties, armed with their unity and their ability to fortify their internal arena,” Speaker Nabih Berri said during the Wednesday parliamentary meeting.
“The government is still in place, and Prime Minister Hariri’s announcement of resignation in that way will not change its [the government’s] full description,” he reiterated.
On a different note, Berri received the French Ambassador to Lebanon, Bruno Faucher, and briefed him on the situation in Lebanon and the region.
Hezbollah Secretary General Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah rejected the former premier’s allegations and said the entire story of resignation was a scenario by Saudi Arabia. Hariri had accused Hezbollah of meddling in the affairs of the government. Nasrallah also dismissed Hariri’s claims that he had flown to Saudi Arabia because he feared for his life. Lebanese intelligence and security authorities have also denied there was any plot to assassinate Hariri.
Lebanese President Michel Aoun has said that he is still waiting for Hariri to return and submit his resignation.
Hariri quit his post on Saturday in a televised speech broadcast by Saudi Arabia's Al-Arabiya television, during which he appeared tense as he carefully read out from a written statement.
Analysts believe Hariri's resignation had been coordinated before between US president Donald Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
