Lebanon’s Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri has said he has “no worries” about his relationship with Saudi Arabia.
Hariri resigned in November last year, accusing Iran of an assassination plot against him. He then traveled to Saudi Arabia. His stay in Saudi Arabia drew criticism from many who felt Saudi Arabia had manipulated the situation and was keeping Hariri from returning. There were also accusations that he was mistreated by the Saudis.
Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland Wednesday, Hariri refused to elaborate on the details of his stay but said his relationship with Saudi Arabia was “at its best” and that there are “no worries.”
His resignation temporarily ended his party’s ruling coalition with the political wing of Hezbollah, a group with ties to Iran that represents Shi’ite Muslims living in the Lebanese Republic.
Hariri, who himself is a dual Saudi citizen, then alleged in a broadcast from an undisclosed location that Hezbollah was “directing weapons” at Yemenis, Syrians and Lebanese.
On November 21, Hariri returned to Lebanon and by early December he had rescinded his resignation and returned to power.
Hariri told the panel Wednesday that the policy of disassociation from regional affairs is what allowed the coalition to reform and will save the republic from further turmoil.
“The only thing that made me come back was that all the political parties came to the government and agreed that this disassociation policy is part of the Lebanese government and should be agreed on by all political parties. This made me go back on my resignation,” he said.
“If we as Lebanese think we can meddle in the affairs of other nations, we will pay the price,” Hariri added.
Source: cnbc
Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri says his relationship with Saudi Arabia is 'at its best'