BEIRUT: Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri flew Wednesday night to Paris for a family visit, a source close to him said.
“He left half an hour ago and will spend a few days with his family in Paris,” said the source.
Hariri’s shock resignation announcement from Saudi Arabia early this month, followed by a lengthy stay in Riyadh, had prompted speculation that he had been forced to quit and was not free to travel.
He headed to the French capital at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron before returning to Lebanon last week.
The next day, at Lebanese President Michel Aoun’s request, he agreed to suspend his decision to resign pending talks on the political situation.
Some analysts described his departure for France as an “exfiltration” by Paris.
Hariri announced his shock resignation from Saudi Arabia on November 4, citing Iran’s “grip” on his country and threats to his life.
In a speech broadcast by the Al-Arabiya news network, he accused Tehran of “creating a state within a state” and blasted its Lebanese Shiite ally Hezbollah.
Iran rejected what it called “unfounded accusations.”
Hariri has repeatedly stated that he wants to remain prime minister, demanding that Hezbollah respect a policy of non-interference in regional conflicts.
The Lebanese Shiite movement has fought on the side of the Iran-backed regime in neighboring Syria.
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Lebanon’s Hariri visits family in Paris: source
Lebanon’s Hariri visits family in Paris: source
Lebanon’s Berri says parliamentary election must be held on time
BEIRUT: Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri said on Friday he was committed to holding a parliamentary election as scheduled on May 10, despite calls from some politicians to postpone the vote.
Several politicians have called for a delay, citing security concerns in southern Lebanon, where Israel has carried out air strikes targeting Hezbollah.
Berri, a Shiite leader allied with Hezbollah, said in a statement carried by the state-run National News Agency that he had informed President Joseph Aoun and the government of his position.
“It is not permissible that, at the start of a new era, we obstruct its launch by disrupting, postponing or extending the most important constitutional entitlement, which is the foundation for forming authorities and producing political life,” Berri said.
Berri has opened the candidacy registry for the election and submitted the first nomination request for the Tyre-Zahrani district in southern Lebanon.
Lebanon last held a parliamentary election in May 2022, a vote marked by low turnout and deep public anger over a financial collapse. The election saw some gains by reformist candidates emerging from the 2019 protest movement, while the Iran-backed Hezbollah and its allies lost their parliamentary majority. (Reporting by Laila Bassam; Writing by Tala Ramadan; Editing by Sharon Singleton)
Several politicians have called for a delay, citing security concerns in southern Lebanon, where Israel has carried out air strikes targeting Hezbollah.
Berri, a Shiite leader allied with Hezbollah, said in a statement carried by the state-run National News Agency that he had informed President Joseph Aoun and the government of his position.
“It is not permissible that, at the start of a new era, we obstruct its launch by disrupting, postponing or extending the most important constitutional entitlement, which is the foundation for forming authorities and producing political life,” Berri said.
Berri has opened the candidacy registry for the election and submitted the first nomination request for the Tyre-Zahrani district in southern Lebanon.
Lebanon last held a parliamentary election in May 2022, a vote marked by low turnout and deep public anger over a financial collapse. The election saw some gains by reformist candidates emerging from the 2019 protest movement, while the Iran-backed Hezbollah and its allies lost their parliamentary majority. (Reporting by Laila Bassam; Writing by Tala Ramadan; Editing by Sharon Singleton)
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