Aoun Says Lebanon Has 'Won'
After an agreement reached at the Cabinet that affirmed Lebanon's commitment to the dissociation policy, President Michel Aoun said the statement constitutes “a win for Lebanon,” Aoun said on Twitter on Wednesday.
“The statement issued by the Cabinet yesterday does not constitute a win for one party or loss for another. The winner here is Lebanon which was able to get through, thanks for the unity of the people to safeguard stability and peace,” said Aoun.
The President added that Lebanon has turned the page on the crisis, pointing out that the government will resume its duties and continue preparations for the upcoming parliamentary elections scheduled in May.
On Tuesday, Hariri announced that he is stepping back from his resignation after an extraordinary government meeting that endorsed the country's dissociation policy.
In a statement he read to reporters, the PM announced that he had withdrawn his resignation one month after stepping down from his post in a shock move.
Hariri announced his resignation on November 4 in a surprise televised address from Saudi Arabia that sent tremors through Lebanon, long a proxy battleground for regional powers.
His resignation was seen as part of an intensifying power struggle between the Saudi kingdom -- which had long backed Hariri -- and its regional rival Iran, which backs Hizbullah.
After announcing he was bowing out Hariri, who accused Hizbullah of destabilizing Lebanon, remained in Riyadh, sparking speculation that he was being held hostage by the Saudis.
French President Emmanuel Macron intervened to try defuse the crisis, inviting Hariri to Paris for talks, after which he returned to Beirut to a hero's welcome.
Two weeks later, following consultations with the various political groups in Lebanon, Hariri announced Tuesday he was withdrawing his resignation.
Source: Naharnet, Agence France Presse
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