Al-Hariri says resignation on hold, pledges to stay in Lebanon

Lebanon's Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri said Wednesday (November 22nd) he was suspending his surprise resignation, pending talks, providing a potential way out of a political crisis that has rocked the country.

In a rousing address before large crowds of supporters gathered outside his Beirut home, he pledged he would stay in the country and protect its "stability".

Lebanon has been thrown into turmoil by al-Hariri's shock November 4th announcement from Saudi Arabia that he was stepping down.

The resignation raised fears that Lebanon would be paralysed by regional tensions.

Hours after his arrival back in Beirut, al-Hariri met with President Michel Aoun, who had refused to accept the premier's resignation until he returned to Lebanon.

"I discussed my resignation with the president of the republic who asked me to wait before submitting it... and allow for more consultations," al-Hariri told reporters afterwards.

"I agreed to this request."

Al-Hariri said he hoped his decision would "allow for a responsible dialogue in a serious manner... that would settle disputes."

In announcing his resignation, he had levelled harsh criticism at Iran and its Lebanese ally Hizbullah, saying they had taken over Lebanon and were destabilising the region.

He also said he had been forced to leave Lebanon because of threats to his safety, invoking the 2005 assassination of his father, former prime minister Rafik al-Hariri.

Consensus government might be saved

But he left the door open to withdrawing the resignation if Hizbullah pulled back from involvement in regional conflicts.

Al-Hariri accuses the group of violating Lebanon's policy of "disassociation" from regional conflicts by fighting alongside Syria's government and assisting Houthi (Ansarallah) fighters in Yemen.

The decision brings down the temperature after weeks of tensions, and some analysts said it suggested a deal could be in the works to save the consensus government al-Hariri formed just under a year ago.

"What this is saying, is there is still room for backroom discussions and negotiations," said Maha Yahya, director of the Carnegie Middle East Centre think tank.

"Al-Hariri would not have agreed to this [otherwise]," she added.

"There is already some consensus behind it. There is a deal that is being worked out, we still do not know what the details are."

Hero's welcome

Despite the potential struggles ahead, al-Hariri appeared relaxed as he first attended a military parade to mark the country's Independence Day, and then appeared at his Beirut home, where large crowds of supporters had gathered.

As celebratory music played, the crowd chanted "Saad, Saad" and waved the blue flag of his Future Movement party.

"I am staying with you," al-Hariri said, in an emphatic speech delivered at the door of his home in the centre of the capital.

"We are continuing together, to be the first line of defence for Lebanon and its stability."

Outside his house, 32-year-old Hala waved a blue Future Movement flag enthusiastically.

"He managed to bring Lebanon together," she told AFP.

"His return is very important, even if there are many things we do not understand."