Lebanese PM Reports Deal, Rescinds Resignation

Lebanon Crisis Appears Resolved

After a visit to Saudi Arabia turned into a shock resignation and a couple of weeks held almost wholly incommunicado, Lebanese Prime Mnisiter Saad Hariri has formally revoked the resignation and will remain in office.

Saad Hariri and French President Macron

Hariri has denied being “forced” to resign by the Saudis, though his unresignation will doubtless add to such speculation. Yet the PM is explaining his change on a consensus deal negotiated within Lebanon’s political process.

Hariri’s resignation within Saudi Arabia came with Saudis saying Lebanon had “declared war,” and demanding that Hezbollah be totally excluded from the nation’s political process. That, needless to say, is not happening.

France is planning talks on trying to stabilize Lebanon, which has had more than its share of political unrest in recent years. That Hariri isn’t resigning suggests that there are high hopes for this talk.

Author: Jason Ditz

Jason Ditz is Senior Editor for Antiwar.com. He has 20 years of experience in foreign policy research and his work has appeared in The American Conservative, Responsible Statecraft, Forbes, Toronto Star, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Providence Journal, Washington Times, and the Detroit Free Press.