Speaking after talks with Emmanuel Macron, Saad Hariri says he will explain his sudden departure, which sparked political turmoilPrime minister Saad Hariri said he will return to Lebanon for Wednesday’s Independence Day celebrations and explain his situation, after his shock resignation announcement in Saudi Arabia sparked political turmoil. His failure to return to Lebanon since then sparked rumours he was being held in Riyadh against his will, which both he and Saudi officials denied. “To say that I am held up in Saudi Arabia and not allowed to leave the country is a lie,” he said in a Twitter post just before flying to Paris overnight. “We are helping to ease tensions in the region,” the Elysee Palace added, without saying if Hariri had confirmed his resignation to Macron. Hariri, a dual Saudi citizen who has previously enjoyed Riyadh’s backing, resigned saying he feared for his life.

Source: The Guardian November 19, 2017 01:30 UTC