Resigned PM to return to Lebanon Tuesday

Resigned Prime Minister Saad Hariri will return to Beirut on Tuesday, the Lebanese Presidency has announced.

This came during a phone call Hariri made on Saturday with Lebanese President Michel Aoun from Paris, the Presidency said in a statement.

According to the statement, Hariri told Aoun that he will return to Beirut on Tuesday to take part in Independence Day celebrations, which will be held on Wednesday.

Hariri also made a phone call with Parliament Speaker Nabil Berri during which he confirmed his participation in the Independence Day, Berri’s media office said in a statement.

Hariri arrived in France earlier Saturday from Saudi Arabia, two weeks after he announced a surprise resignation during a televised address from the oil-rich kingdom.

His resignation, however, was not accepted by Aoun amid allegations that he was being held by Riyadh against his will.

Hariri has denied the allegations, saying that he will return to Beirut “soon”.

In his resignation speech, Hariri has accused Iran and its Lebanese ally Hezbollah of sowing sedition in the region and meddling in Arab affairs.

Hariri was appointed prime minister late last year, leading a 30-member government that included Hezbollah representatives

READ: Lebanese president calls on Saudi to explain why Hariri has not returned