Date: Nov 23, 2017
Source: The Daily Star
Hariri puts resignation on hold after Aoun's request
Hasan Lakiss & Ghinwa Obeid| The Daily Star
BEIRUT: Prime Minister Saad Hariri postponed handing in his resignation Wednesday upon the request of President Michel Aoun, amidst Independence Day celebrations.

“I offered my resignation to President Aoun and he asked me to put off presenting it, to allow for more consultations on the reasons for it and its political background,” Hariri told reporters from Baabda Palace, speaking after a sit-down with Aoun that was held as guests arrived at the palace for an Independence Day reception.

"I agreed to his request, hoping that it will provide a serious opening to a responsible dialogue that will renew the commitment to the Taif Accord and the basics of national consensus, and resolve controversial issues and their impact on Lebanon's relationship with its Arab brothers."

Hariri said that, at this delicate stage, Lebanon requires exceptional efforts from the different parties to fortify the country from dangers and challenges.

"At the forefront of these efforts is the need to commit to the dissociation policy from external conflicts and regional disputes, and from all of that disrupts internal stability and the brotherly relationship with our Arab brethren," the premier said.

Hariri said he looked forward to a true partnership between all political factions that would put Lebanon’s best interests first and preserve coexistence between the Lebanese.

He thanked both Aoun and Berri for their keenness to protect Lebanon’s stability, and their respect for Lebanon’s Constitution and norms.

Sources had told The Daily Star earlier that Hariri was expected to officially hand his resignation to Aoun. "There is an appointment for Hariri [to meet with the president] after the reception ends, during which he will resign," the sources had said.

Speaker Nabih Berri initially joined the meeting between Aoun and Hariri before exiting, leaving the pair to discuss recent developments.

The meeting was significant, coming as it did after Hariri announced his resignation in a televised statement made from Riyadh on Nov.4.

That surprise announcement took the country by storm and sent shockwaves throughout the region.

Aoun pointedly refused to accept the decision until Hariri returned to Lebanon and handed in his resignation on Lebanese territory.

The premier arrived back in Beirut – after an extended stay in Saudi Arabia, followed by a brief visit to Paris – Tuesday night, coming from Egypt via Cyprus.

Berri and Hariri traveled to the presidential palace together Wednesday after attending the Independence Day parade in Downtown.

Once there, they met with Aoun, who had preceded them from the festivities separately.

There had been speculation over whether Hariri would meet with Aoun Wednesday, but just minutes after Aoun arrived at the palace, Berri and Hariri stepped out of their vehicle to join him.

The premier reportedly drove the speaker to the palace, with Berri in the passenger seat.

After announcing his decision, Hariri joined Aoun and Berri for the reception, to which local officials, diplomats, security and religious figures had flocked.

The reception was not free of tense political moments: Hariri avoided shaking hands with Syrian Ambassador to Lebanon Ali Abdel-Karim Ali, instead taking Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil aside for a chat until the ambassador had passed.

'Thank you. Thank you. Thank you'

BEIRUT: Hundreds of people Wednesday flocked to Beirut's Central District in a show of support for Prime Minister Saad Hariri.

Carrying the Future Movement and Lebanese flags, Hariri's supporters headed to the premier's Downtown residence. The crowds went into a frenzy upon sighting the premier waving from the window.

"This is a moment that I can never forget. This is the moment of meeting with loved ones, with family – this is the moment of loyalty," Hariri told the crowds. "Thank you. Thank you. Thank you."

Hariri returned to Beirut Tuesday evening, in time for Wednesday's Independence Day celebrations. It was the first time he had set foot in the country since announcing his resignation while in Riyadh on Nov. 4.

Hariri saluted the Lebanese, saying that they understood the importance of stability.

“I am going to stay and continue with you," he said, addressing the supporters who had traveled from different areas of the country, including Akkar and Tripoli. "We are here at the front lines, defending Lebanon, its stability, and its Arabism. We don’t have anything that is more precious than Lebanon. Our slogan will always be 'Lebanon first'.”

Hariri then stood to sing the Lebanese anthem with his supporters before leaving the podium to walk amongst those present.

Earlier Wednesday, following a meeting with President Michel Aoun, Hariri announced that he would put off his resignation.

"Hariri always acts in a responsible manner towards the Lebanese and their political and economic security," Interior Minister Nouhad Machnouk told local channel MTV from the premier’s residence.

"He was a zaim [a leader] and he is still a zaim. The priority today is for dialogue," Machnouk said, when asked whether the Cabinet would meet following Hariri’s decision.

We must work for Lebanon

BEIRUT: Following a meeting with Speaker Nabih Berri Wednesday, Prime Minister Saad Hariri told reporters he had postponed his resignation because he saw positive developments within the government.

“I postponed my resignation because President Aoun asked and after all the support he has shown me, it was the least I could do,” Hariri told reported outside of Berri’s residence in Ain al-Tineh.

Hariri also said that the positive developments and the dialogue between Lebanese officials had pushed him to postpone his exit. “In the end, we are politicians working for the good of Lebanon and the good of Lebanon translates into good things for the people,” he said.

However, Hariri said he believes Lebanon needs to uphold its policy of dissociation and distance itself from the regional conflicts.

“We must distance ourselves for the sake of the country. Lebanon is [the priority] ... and working for the interests of the country,” Hariri said.

While he didn’t discuss the details of his meeting with Berri, he revealed that he, Aoun and Berri would talk to their Arab allies to help find solutions to tensions in the region. “I think our Arab allies know Lebanon’s position and understand what we are trying to do.”

He remarked that countries such as France and Egypt were keeping a hand on the situation to ensure it doesn’t flare up or snowball into an active conflict. “Right now, we are in the stage of dialogue,” Hariri said.

Hariri, his chief of staff Nader Hariri and Finance Minister Ali Hassan Khalil visited Berri at his residence just hours after the pair met with President Michel Aoun to discuss Hariri's resignation and the state of Lebanon's affairs.

Earlier in the day, Berri offered to uphold Lebanon's policy of dissociation while Hariri agreed to postpone his resignation.

Before meeting with Berri, Hariri visited the Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdel-Latif Derian at Dar El-Fatwa. Derian said that Hariri's decision to postpone his resignation signals a step forward. The postponement gives the Lebanese and officials the opportunity to understand the reasons behind Hariri's resignation and to "arrive at a solution which will provide security, safety and stability to Lebanon and better relations with its Arab brothers," Derian said, according to the NNA.

Dar El-Fatwa was the center of a flurry of meetings in the wake of Hariri’s announced resignation from Riyadh on Nov. 4. Senior Sunni figures, as well as numerous other high-profile politicians and officials, visited the Grand Mufti for talks while Hariri was still in Riyadh.