Hariri Hosted by Saudi King alongside Heads of States: Protocol or Political Message?

Al-Mustaqbal Movement leader ex-PM Saad Hariri was hosted Saturday evening by Saudi King Salman bin Abdul Aziz at Mecca's al-Safa Palace at an iftar banquet that was attended by the presidents of Afghanistan and Gabon and several senior Saudi princes and officials, Hariri's office said.

Hariri had left Beirut aboard his private jet in the afternoon.

“King Salman's hosting of ex-PM Hariri alongside heads of states reflects the Saudi leadership's approach towards Hariri's role and his political position and reflects the appreciation that the kingdom has for Hariri,” sources close to al-Mustaqbal have said.

Anti-Hariri sources have meanwhile said that the trip is “nothing but a protocol visit” that takes place every year during the holy month of Ramadan.

“It does not carry any political indications and it therefore cannot be part of the solutions that Hariri is looking for regarding his political and financial problems,” the sources said.