Bukhari Suggests Sending Bassil to Riyadh in Talks with Aoun
Saudi charge d'affaires in Lebanon Walid al-Bukhari told President Michel Aoun on Friday during a meeting in Baabda that “it is possible to dispatch Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil to Riyadh to meet with (Prime Minister Saad) Hariri,” media reports said.
Aoun for his part asked Bukhari to relay to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman “a demand for the return of PM Saad Hariri to Lebanon to spare the security and stability of the country any repercussions.”
The Aoun-Bukhari meeting was part of political talks that the president held with a number of foreign envoys in Baabda.
Hariri had announced his resignation on Saturday in a surprising and pre-recorded statement from Saudi Arabia.
In a haltingly delivered address, Hariri accused Iran of meddling in Arab affairs and Iran-backed Hizbullah of holding Lebanon hostage. He also said he feared for his life.
In his absence, Lebanon has been awash with speculation the prime minister may be held against his will in Saudi Arabia. Saudi officials have denied Hariri is under house arrest.
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