Tillerson Says Hariri to Stay in Post, Calls for Constraining Hizbullah

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Friday that Prime Minister Saad Hariri affirmed in a meeting in Paris that he no longer plans to resign.

At a news conference with French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian following his talks with Hariri, Tillerson said the U.S. and others want to work with Lebanon to move it forward on security and prepare for elections next year.

Tillerson also said it's critical to ensure Hizbullah's disassociation from regional conflicts, including Yemen's civil war. He said the discussions with Hariri in Paris were "all positive when it comes to Lebanon's future."

U.S. State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert had said that Tillerson would voice support for Lebanon's "sovereignty, stability and independence."

Tillerson would also affirm U.S. support for Lebanon's military, Nauert said. She added that he would also encourage other nations to do more to constrain Hizbullah and argue that doing so will lead to a "stronger, more stable Lebanon."

Hariri announced his resignation last month from Saudi Arabia, but has since returned to Lebanon and rescinded it following an agreement with Hizbullah and the other government components.