Lebanon’s PM Says Resignation His Own Decision

AP News ^ | 11/12/17

[Enlightened1]

BEIRUT (AP) — The latest on the political crisis in Lebanon (all times local):

9:05 p.m.

Lebanon’s Prime Minister Saad Hariri says his resignation was his decision, dismissing reports he was forced to quit a unity government with his rival Hezbollah militant group.

Speaking Sunday in a live interview to his station Future TV, Hariri held back tears. He said his resignation was designed to “cause a positive shock” in the country, warning against Iranian interference that is, he said, ruining relations with other Arab countries.

Hariri said he “can’t be the only one making concessions while the others do whatever they want.”

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9 p.m.

Lebanon’s Prime Minister Saad Hariri says he will return to his country “very soon” in his first televised interview since he resigned in Saudi Arabia last week.

Hariri is speaking Sunday in a live interview to his station Future TV, after pressure from Lebanese officials who said his resignation is not accepted because it was declared in Saudi Arabia. Lebanon’s president said Hariri is being held against his will in Saudi Arabia.

“I am free,” he told the TV interviewer. He said he decided to resign to save the country from imminent danger. He didn’t elaborate. Hariri said he will return to Lebanon “very soon,” ″in days.”

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1 p.m.

Thousands of Lebanese taking part in the country’s annual marathon used the event to call on Prime Minister Saad Hariri to return home after he resigned under mysterious circumstances during a visit to Saudi Arabia.

Hariri was a regular participant in the marathon, giving the international sports event a big boost. This year, President Michel Aoun encouraged runners to call on Hariri to return. Many Lebanese suspect he was placed under house arrest as part of a Saudi plan to unravel

[Enlightened1]

Lebanese PM says he decided to resign to save the country from imminent danger and will return from Saudi Arabia "in days"