Lebanon PM Hariri resigns after criticizing Iran and Hezbollah

Riyadh / BEIRUT : Lebanon’s Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri resigned on Saturday, saying he believed there was an assassination plot against him and accusing Iran and its Lebanese ally Hezbollah of planning a strife within the gulf region. Saad also mentioned that the current atmosphere in Lebanon is similar to the atmosphere that prevailed before the assassination of his father, the late Prime Minister Rafik-al-Hariri. Thus, Saad’s resignation and his accusations are being reviewed seriously.

Two days ago the Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri had left for a visit to Saudi Arabia and was to return to Lebanon after his visit. However he unexpectedly announced his resignation from Saudi Arabia. Some sources however state that his announcement is from an undisclosed location. Saad accused Iran’s ally Hezbollah of planning his assassination.

He compared the atmosphere in Lebanon today to the days when the assassination of Martyr Rafik Hariri had happened, saying he believed his own life was in danger as an assassination plot against him has been planned. Saad’s father and the then Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri was killed in a 2005 bomb attack in Beirut. Iran’s ally Hezbollah was accused of being the mastermind behind this.

In one of his speeches on the Lebanon national television Saad warned the people of Lebanon of Iran and Hezbollah. Lebanon is a victim of outsider interference. He mentioned that a certain group was getting support from another country to create their presence in Lebanon. This group has already created a rift between people and has created a threat to the government’s mechanism by establishing a parallel government. Saad criticised this group of using its influence against the people of Lebanon.

Saad also accused Iran of creating political instability saying that Iran, which sows sedition, devastation and destruction in any place that it settles in. Iran has proved this by its political intervention in countries Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Bahrain and Yemen. Iran’s hatred for Arab countries and its ambition to dominate them is the primary reason for this. However Saad also hinted that the Arab countries would cut off all arms raised against it. Hezbollah along with a few people from Lebanon are ally to Iran in these plans.

Over the decades Hezbollah had gained dominance and is using this against the well wishers of Lebanon in Syria and Yemen. The after effects of actions of Hezbollah are not only seen in Lebanon but also in the Arab countries. saying so Saad expressed his concern.

Meanwhile, a year ago Saad had formed his government in Lebanon. The Lebanese government included Hezbollah members, and a few groups from Lebanon. However Saad was not eager to run this Hezbollah dominated government. Saad had earlier requested the Saudi and Arab countries to intervene for getting stability in Lebanon.