Lebanese prime minister suspends resignation

Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri on Wednesday said he is putting his resignation on hold. The statement came hours after Hariri returned to Lebanon from abroad, where he shocked the nation by announcing his resignation three weeks ago, plunging the country into political turmoil. Speaking from the presidential palace on Wednesday, Hariri said he made the decision to suspend his resignation at the request of Lebanese President Michel Aoun after meeting with him and the Parliament speaker: “I presented today my resignation to President Aoun and he urged me to wait before offering it and hold onto it for more dialogue about its reasons and political background, and I showed responsiveness.” Aoun had said he would not accept Hariri’s resignation until he presented it in person. Hariri announced his stunning decision to step down on Nov. 4 during a televised statement from Saudi Arabia. Lebanese officials accused Saudi Arabia of forcing his resignation and detaining him.