Hariri goes to Abu Dhabi, Dispels rumors he was being held by the Saudis

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Mohammed Al-HAMMADI / WAM / AFP | Lebanon's former prime minister Saad Hariri (L) meeting with Abu Dhabi's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan at the Al-Shati palace in Abu Dhabi on November 7, 2017.
Mohammed Al-HAMMADI / WAM / AFP | Lebanon’s former prime minister Saad Hariri (L) meeting with Abu Dhabi’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan at the Al-Shati palace in Abu Dhabi on November 7, 2017.
Days after announcing his shock resignation in Saudi Arabia, Lebanon’s former prime minister Saad Hariri on Tuesday visited Abu Dhabi, where he met Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan.

Hariri announced his resignation Saturday in a televised speech from Riyadh.

He said he feared for his life and accused Saudi Arabia’s arch-rival Iran and its Lebanese ally Hezbollah of taking over his country and destabilising the broader region.

Hariri’s announcement from Riyadh, which coincided with a Saudi purge of princes, ministers and a top businessman, sparked speculation in Lebanon that he quit under duress and was subject to Saudi movement restrictions.

Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar , which is closely associated with Hezbollah even suggested he was being held “hostage” in Saudi Arabia.
On Tuesday the official WAM agency of the United Arab Emirates, a key Saudi ally, reported Hariri had met Sheikh Mohammed.

The UAE strongman assured him of his country’s “support” for Lebanon “in the face of regional challenges and interferences in its affairs”.

His departure sparked concerns of a political crisis in Lebanon as Saudi Arabia and Iran face off over Yemen.

Hezbollah head Hassan Nasrallah said Sunday Hariri’s resignation had been “imposed” by Saudi Arabia.

“It was not his intention, not his wish and not his decision” to quit, Nasrallah said in a televised address.

“We did not seek this resignation,” said Nasrallah, whose powerful movement has participated in Hariri’s government for almost a year.

The Hezbollah leader also questioned why Hariri gave his resignation speech from Saudi Arabia.

“Is he at home? Will they let him return? These are legitimate concerns,” he said, referring to a purge of princes, ministers and businessmen in Saudi Arabia in an anti-corruption operation.

FRANCE24/(AFP)

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4 responses to “Hariri goes to Abu Dhabi, Dispels rumors he was being held by the Saudis”

  1. Danny Farah Avatar
    Danny Farah

    But But But Nassrallah said Hariri is under house arrest.

    1. Hind Abyad Avatar
      Hind Abyad

      He seams to be used by Saudi Arabia.
      I found this debate more informative because it mentions Hariri the time lines.
      http://PressTV.com/Default/Embed/541142

    2. Meanwhile Nassrallah is under Sewage whole self chosen arrest……..

  2. Hind Abyad Avatar
    Hind Abyad

    Palace Coup in Riyadh’

    (..)”The Saudi Minister for Affairs of the Gulf, assured that, contrary to what one might think at first, Saudi Arabia had not imprisoned Saad Hariri, and that he could return to Lebanon whenever he liked. Since the rumours of his arrest persisted, the Prime Minister’s Twitter account shared a photo of him in a polo shirt, with the Saudi ambassador for Lebanon.

    Even before Saad Hariri had finished his speech, his rival, the ex-Central Director of the police (FSI) then Lebanese Minister for Justice, Achraf Rifi, headed to Beirut from his Italian exile. As it happens, since Mister Hariri is one of the most profoundly indebted people on the planet – he owes a personal debt to the Saudi government of about four billion dollars – he is probably not in a position to take decisions which go against the interests of his creditor.”
    http://www.voltairenet.org/article198647.html

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