Hariri Steps Back from Resignation after Consensus Deal

Prime Minister Saad Hariri announced on Tuesday 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In a statement he read to reporters, the PM announced that he had withdrawn his resignation in a step that comes one month after stepping down from his post in a shock move.

“The Cabinet thanks the prime minister for rescinding his resignation,” Hariri said reading from a cabinet statement issued after its first meeting since his return.

“The government has unanimously approved a statement pledging compliance with a policy of dissociation, the president's oath of office in terms of dissociating the country from regional conflicts and non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries,” he added.

"The Cabinet has also renewed commitment to the Taef Accord, the international resolutions mainly UN Resolution 1701 and continued support for the UNIFIL. The government will continue to strengthen relations with fraternal and friendly countries and to reaffirm partnership with the European Union," he said.

President Michel Aoun chaired the meeting on Tuesday at the Baabda Palace with the aim of endorsing the dissociation policy.

The Cabinet convened after a month of paralysis that gripped the country following Hariri's resignation, which he eventually retracted, citing Iran's influence, Hizbullah's involvement in regional wars and threats for his life.

Aoun and Hariri held a closed door meeting before the government session began.

The decision to hold the extraordinary session was reached after the political parties reached an agreement on a statement that will reaffirm Lebanon's so-called dissociation policy ending Hizbullah's involvement in regional conflicts.

Hariri had caused widespread perplexity on November 4 when he resigned during a TV broadcast from Saudi Arabia, citing assassination threats and blasting the policies of Iran and Hizbullah in Lebanon and the region.

After a puzzling mini-odyssey that took him to France, Egypt and Cyprus, Hariri arrived back in Lebanon on November 21 and then announced that he was putting his decision to quit on hold ahead of negotiations.

But while Hariri and his Saudi backers seemed on a collision course with Hizbullah last month, an apparent behind-the-scenes deal now appears to be restoring the status quo.

The premier has called for dissociating Lebanon from the regional conflicts through ending Hizbullah’s involvement in them.