Lebanon Developments Since Hariri's Resignation
A timeline of developments since the surprise resignation by Lebanese prime minister Saad Hariri nearly two weeks ago, which has created uncertainty and claims of interference.
- Shock resignation -Hariri announces from Saudi Arabia on November 4 that he is stepping down, citing Iran's "grip" on his country and threats to his life.
In a speech broadcast by the Al-Arabiya news network, he accuses Tehran of "creating a state within the state... to the extent that it gets the final say on how Lebanon's affairs are run".
Iran rejects what it says are "unfounded accusations".
On November 5 the head of Lebanon's Hizbullah movement, allied with Iran, claims Hariri's resignation was forced by Saudi Arabia.
"It is clear that the resignation was a Saudi decision that was imposed on Prime Minister Hariri," Hassan Nasrallah says in a televised address.
The resignation coincides with a purge of more than 200 Saudi princes, ministers and businessmen.
A day after meeting Saudi King Salman, Hariri on November 7 visits Abu Dhabi where Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan assures him of his country's support for Lebanon "in the face of regional challenges and interferences in its affairs".
- Hariri 'detained': Hezbollah -Lebanese President Michel Aoun expresses concern at Hariri's fate.
On November 10 Hizbullah's Nasrallah says in a televised speech that Hariri was "detained" by Saudi Arabia, which was "inciting Israel", the sworn enemy of his Shiite movement, "to strike Lebanon".
US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson warns countries against using Lebanon for "proxy conflicts".
French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian says Hariri is "free to move around".
- Hariri says 'free' -On November 12 Aoun criticises "the obscure circumstances in which... Hariri is staying in Riyadh".
The same day, Hariri says in an exclusive interview from Riyadh with his party's Future TV that he is "free" and will return to Lebanon "very soon".
- Maronite patriarch in Riyadh -On November 14 the head of Lebanon's Maronite church, Beshara Rai, meets Hariri and King Salman in Saudi Arabia.
"I am convinced by the reasons for his resignation," Rai says. "He will return to Lebanon as soon as possible".
- France steps up initiatives -French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe says Hariri must be able to return home from Saudi Arabia to end "a period of uncertainty".
President Emmanuel Macron, on a flying visit to Riyadh on November 9 to meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, reiterates his wish that "Hariri can go to Lebanon as he has announced".
- Hariri detained: president -On November 15 Aoun accuses Saudi Arabia of having "detained" Hariri.
Hariri replies on Twitter: "I want to repeat and confirm: I am totally, totally fine and I'll come back, God willing, to beloved Lebanon like I promised you all."
- Bound for France -The French president's office says Hariri and his family have been invited to France for a "few days" but that does not mean he will stay there in exile.
On November 16 Le Drian says Hariri has accepted the invitation and later meets Hariri in Riyadh.
Aoun says the visit to France is the "start of a solution" and that he is waiting for Hariri to return from France "to decide the next step with regards to the government".
Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir says that Hariri is free to leave "when he pleases", becoming the highest ranking Saudi official to comment on the situation.
