Lebanese prime minister resigns amid tensions with Hezbollah

Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri has announced he is resigning in a surprise move following a trip to Saudi Arabia.

Lebanese prime minister resigns amid tensions with Hezbollah

Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri has announced he is resigning in a surprise move following a trip to Saudi Arabia.

In a televised address today, he condemned Iran and the Lebanese Hezbollah group for meddling in Arab affairs and said: "Iran's arms in the region will be cut off."

Mr Hariri was appointed prime minister in late 2016 and headed a 30-member national unity cabinet which included the Shiite militant Hezbollah.

The government has largely succeeded in protecting the country from the effects of the civil war in neighburing Syria.

Mr Hariri's resignation is expected to raise tensions in the country.

In his speech, he suggested he feared for his life and said the atmosphere in the country is similar to the one that existed before his father, late prime minister Rafik Hariri, was assassinated in 2005.

-AP

more courts articles

Former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson arrives at court to face sex charges Former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson arrives at court to face sex charges
Case against Jeffrey Donaldson to be heard in court Case against Jeffrey Donaldson to be heard in court
Defendant in Cobh murder case further remanded in custody Defendant in Cobh murder case further remanded in custody

More in this section

Ukraine ‘uses long-range missiles from US to hit Russian-held areas’ Ukraine ‘uses long-range missiles from US to hit Russian-held areas’
Ammanford incident Teenage girl arrested after teachers and pupil stabbed at Welsh school
Joe Biden Joe Biden signs $95 billion war aid measure for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Brand Safety FAQ Help Contact Us Terms and Conditions

© Examiner Echo Group Limited