A Saudi 'Night of the Long Knives'? Prince Salman's crackdown

Aeneas said:
Emma said:
There is a recent interesting conversation with Marwa Osman Lebanese correspondent about what's happening in Saudi Arabia by Corbett Report Extras:


https://youtu.be/yq_LtbtvefM
Thanks for the link. Well worth listening to. She is a very clear speaker. The last five minutes, she talks about Lebanon and how the people are reacting. As it is there is a great unity in Lebanon among all the leaders. They all want him back even if they didn't all agree with everything he did, but in the last year he had shown a lot of openness and doing good for the country. She doesn't believe in a war any time soon against Lebanon.

Indeed! It helped to better piece together a lot of what's happening in Saudi Arabia and how Hariri and others play a role in all of this, as well as why MBS went after certain princes and ministers. A few points of interest is that the previous king of Saudi Arabia kicked MBS out of the country because he started buying up cache's of weapons in order to 'free' Persia. And that he only returned to SA after Adbulaziz passed away. Also, it seems many of the ministers that were targeted were loyal to Mohammed Bin Nayef the previous Crown Prince who was recently deposed this year and that many of them were offered the deal of being let off of corruption charges as long as they sign off on accepting MBS as being the next king. Lastly, the recent economic forum held that unveiled the robot and megacity may have actually been a front (my interpretation) in order to gather so many of MBS's rivals in the country at the same time, which is why the arrests all happened just days afterwards.
 
Saudi Arabia has just requested a meeting of the Arab league in order to discuss the Iran issue and has allegedly scrambled its fighter jets:

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2017-11-12/arab-league-hold-urgent-meeting-iran-saudis-mobilize-f-15-fighter-jets

Arab League To Hold Urgent Meeting On Iran As Saudis Reportedly Mobilize Fighter Jets

The Arab League is set to hold an emergency meeting on Iran at Saudi Arabia's request, this according to Reuters and various regional sources, at a moment when Saudi fighter jets may be mobilizing for war in an attempted show of force. Egypt-based Ahram Online also reports further that the meeting will discuss "Iranian interference" in the region at League headquarters in Cairo, and other early unconfirmed reports indicate the meeting could come as early as next Sunday.

News of the Arab League extraordinary session comes as tensions are at breaking point as regional powers - especially Saudi Arabia and Israel - talk war against perceived Iranian expansion and domination in the Middle East.

Meanwhile, The Daily Star, citing the Baghdad Post, claims that Saudi Arabia has scrambled its air force for strikes in Lebanon: "Reports now state the Royal Saudi Air Force has placed its warplanes on alert to launch strikes as the region sits on a knife edge." The report accompanies undated footage of Saudi F-15's in aerial maneuvers over what is presumably a Saudi airfield.

The kingdom has mobilized its F-15 fighter jet fleet to launch a military operation against the Iranian-backed terrorist militia of Hezbollah in Lebanon, regional news website The Baghdad Post reports.

Saudi Arabia previously accused both Lebanon and Iran of committing an act of wars against it after rebels fired a missile at the King Khalid International Airport in the kingdom's capital of Riyadh.

However unlikely it is that the Saudis would take direct military action against Lebanon, the report reveals the legitimate fears of Lebanese citizens who are increasingly aware that their country has fallen in the cross hairs of an unusual alliance between Saudi Arabia, Israel, and anti-Iranian interests which see Hezbollah and pro-Iranian proxies as the number one threat and scapegoat for all of the region's problems.

Iran is currently being scapegoated for just about all tensions which have exploded in the gulf over the past week, including the following:

the civil war in Yemen,
the Qatar economic blockade and isolation over accusations that it is "Iran friendly",
the latest civil unrest in Bahrain and the alleged bombing of a major oil pipeline there,
ratcheting up tensions with Israel in support of Hezbollah,
destabilizing Lebanon itself leading to PM Saad Hariri's "resignation" - all of this precipitating the Saudi "night of the long knives".

As many astute pundits have pointed out, it's now "blame Iran time" according to the official Saudi (and allies) narrative of events in order to set the stage for public support for potential military action against Iran.
 
Russia openly supports Lebanon:
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/russia-shows-solidarity-lebanon-regarding-hariri-crisis/

Russia shows solidarity with Lebanon regarding Hariri crisis

Russian Ambassador to Lebanon, Alexander Zasypkin, reaffirmed his government’s support for President Michel ‘Aoun during a seminar in ‘Aley.

“Today we are witnessing a dangerous development in Lebanon, and Russia stands with President of the Republic Michel Aoun and House Speaker Nabih Berri,” Zasypkin statd.

Zasypkin added that Russia praised the national positions of the Lebanese leadership and the state, the army and security apparatuses, parties and businessmen, saying “Lebanon will overcome the difficulties due to the social cohesion of the Lebanese people.”
 
I know this opinion is probably way out of left field but with all the saber-rattling towards Iran, I wonder if the 7.3 Earthquake on the Border with Iraq - wasn't helped along a bit, to create optimal destruction?

France’s Macron broaches Lebanon in surprise Saudi visit Friday November 10, 2017
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20171110-frances-macron-broaches-lebanon-in-surprise-saudi-visit/

French President Emmanuel Macron held hastily scheduled talks in Riyadh on Thursday with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman amid rising tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran, notably over Lebanon and Yemen.

Macron, who flew in from a visit to the United Arab Emirates, had earlier declined to discuss a wave of high-level arrests for corruption in Saudi Arabia, but said it was vital to work with the kingdom for the stability of the region.

The first face-to-face talks between the two men focused on regional questions, in particular Yemen and Lebanon, and “ensuring the preservation of stability in the region”, the French presidency said in a statement after the meeting.

Two top Lebanese government officials said on Thursday that Riyadh was holding Lebanon’s Saad al-Hariri captive and a third told Reuters that the Saudi authorities had ordered Hariri to resign while he was in Riyadh last weekend, and put him under house arrest.

Saudi Arabia has denied that he is under house arrest, but Hariri himself has not denied that his movements are being restricted.

France has close ties with Lebanon, a former colony, and with Hariri, who has a home in France after spending several years in the country. Macron said at an earlier news conference in Dubai there had been informal contacts with Hariri, but no request to transfer him to France.

“They discussed the situation in Lebanon following the resignation of Prime Minister Hariri,” the French presidency said. “President Macron reiterated the importance France attaches to Lebanon’s stability, security, sovereignty and integrity.”

The statement made no mention on whether Macron had spoken with or seen Hariri while in Riyadh. (Article continues.)


Saad al-Hariri warned on Sunday Lebanon was at risk of Gulf Arab sanctions because of the Shi’ite group Hezbollah’s regional meddling and said he would return to Lebanon within days to affirm he had resigned as the country’s prime minister.

Hariri warns Lebanon faces Arab sanctions risk, to return in days November 13, 2017
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20171113-hariri-warns-lebanon-faces-arab-sanctions-risk-to-return-in-days/

In a television interview, the Saudi-allied Hariri held out the possibility he could yet rescind his resignation if Hezbollah agreed to stay out of regional conflicts such as Yemen, his first public comments since he read out his resignation on television from Riyadh eight days ago.

He indicated the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of Lebanese in the Gulf could be at risk, as well as trade, vital to the stability of the Lebanese economy.

Hariri said his resignation was intended as a “positive shock” to his country, which he saw in danger.

Top Lebanese government officials and senior sources close to Hariri believe Saudi Arabia coerced Hariri into resigning and has put him under effective house arrest since he flew to Saudi Arabia over a week ago.

Ahead of his interview, Lebanese President Michel Aoun said Hariri’s movements were being restricted in Saudi Arabia, the first time the Lebanese authorities have publicly declared their belief that Riyadh is holding him against his will.

Hariri said he was a free man.

The resignation and its aftermath have thrust Lebanon back to the forefront of the conflict between Sunni Saudi Arabia and Shi’ite Iran. Aoun refused to accept Hariri’s resignation unless he tendered it in person in Lebanon.

Hariri, who has not returned to Lebanon since he declared his shock resignation, said he stepped down for the sake of the Lebanese national interest, repeatedly saying the country must stick by a policy of “disassociation” from regional conflict.

“I am freely in the Kingdom, and if I want to travel tomorrow, I will travel,” Hariri said of his presence in Saudi Arabia. He said he would return to Lebanon within two or three days.


Saudi Arabia’s energy ministry said pumping to Bahrain had been suspended and the kingdom was stepping up security precautions at its own facilities after its Gulf island neighbour blamed “terrorism” linked to Iran for an oil pipeline blast.

Saudi Arabia tightens security after Bahrain pipeline blast November 12, 2017
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20171112-saudi-arabia-tightens-security-after-bahrain-pipeline-blast/

Iran denies any role in unrest in Bahrain, host to the US Fifth Fleet and a key Western ally, which has for years grappled with protests and sporadic violence.

“The attack on the pipeline … was followed by the suspension of the pumping of oil to the State of Bahrain,” the Saudi Ministry of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources said.

“The Ministry of Energy also confirmed that it has increased its security precautions at all its facilities, and that all these facilities enjoy the highest levels of protection and safety,” it added in a statement.


Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir yesterday refused to confirm or deny reports that Saudi Arabia is cooperating with Israel to combat Hezbollah.

Saudi FM refuses to comment on Saudi-Israel cooperation November 10, 2017
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20171110-saudi-fm-refuses-to-comment-on-saudi-israel-cooperation/

“I cannot comment on rumours,” the minister said during an interview with CNBC which was published yesterday.

“Hezbollah has hijacked the regime in Lebanon and spreads a malign influence throughout the Middle East,” Al-Jubair said, adding that many countries want to push back against Hezbollah.

“What I do know is that Iran is an outlaw state and Iran is the number one state sponsor of terrorism, that Iran harbors terrorists and was in cahoots with Al-Qaeda and Osama Bin Laden since the 1990s,” he said, claiming that “Al-Qaeda’s virtual board of directors fled to Iran in 2002 and have been directing terror operations from the country ever since.”

“The Iranians have to decide whether they are a revolution or a nation, so they have decided so far that they are a revolution and that they want to expand, and this is unacceptable,” Al-Jubeir said.

Saudi Arabia and Iran have been battling for influence in the Middle East in Yemen, Syria and Iraq.
 
SocietyoftheSpectacle said:

BEIRUT, Lebanon. The outgoing Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri yesterday gave his first interview since his resignation while visiting the Saudi capital city of Riyadh on November 4th.

WATCH: Who is "mysterious man" that appeared during Hariri interview? (Video)
http://www.fort-russ.com/2017/11/who-is-mysterious-man-that-appeared.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0KQeEuhcmg )16:06 min.)

The Lebanese public, however, paid a closer attention to certain things that happened during the interview, namely to the “mysterious man” who appeared in the camera staff and raised a big debate.

The interview was conducted by Future TV presenter Paula Yacoubian in Saudi Arabia and was broadcasted live.

During an interview, Hariri said he will return to Lebanon and might even reconsider his resignation.

In a television interview, conducted by the Egyptian journalist Amr Adib, Yacoubian was asked about the controversy that began spreading all over the social networks after camera caught a man appearing behind both, Hariri and Yacoubian.

Yacoubian said that the man was a part of the camera crew, adding that he may have alerted Hariri only about a certain technical error.

While Hariri was answering a question from Yacoubian, he suddenly began focusing his attention to the right side.

When the camera turned back to the presenter, a man appeared behind her with a piece of paper in his hand, indicating as if he may have been checking his speech.

Hariri looked at him twice during the live broadcast before waving his hand, indicating him to leave.

Yacoubian noted that she hasn’t been in contact with any Saudi official, except the driver who took her to Hariri's residence and who himself was not an official anyway.

Some, however, said Hariri appeared nervous during the whole interview, adding that except for Yacoubian, no-one from the technical crew was allowed to enter Hariri's residence.
 
This article was first published on Thursday 9 November 2017 and updated Sunday 12 November 2017. It claims that some of the Royal detainees are being taken to hospital with torture injuries? I just noticed, Fars News has picked up on the story but nothing in other news outlets like RT or Sputnik for some type of conformation on the allegations?

Several detainees taken to hospital with torture injuries, while sources tell MEE scale of crackdown is bigger than authorities have revealed.

EXCLUSIVE: Senior Saudi figures tortured and beaten in purge
http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/exclusive-senior-figures-tortured-and-beaten-saudi-purge-1489501498

Some senior figures detained in last Saturday's purge in Saudi Arabia were beaten and tortured so badly during their arrest or subsequent interrogations that they required hospital treatment, Middle East Eye can reveal.

People inside the royal court also told MEE that the scale of the crackdown, which has brought new arrests each day, is much bigger than Saudi authorities have admitted, with more than 500 people detained and double that number questioned.

Members of the royal family, government ministers and business tycoons were caught up in the sudden wave of arrests orchestrated by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, known as MBS, under the banner of an anti-corruption drive.

Some, but not all, of the top figures arrested were singled out for the most brutal treatment, suffering wounds to the body sustained by classic torture methods. There are no wounds to their faces, so they will show no physical signs of their ordeal when they next appear in public.

Some detainees were tortured to reveal details of their bank accounts. MEE is unable to report specific details about the abuse they suffered in order to protect the anonymity of its sources. (Article continues.)


Report said top figures detained in last Saturday's purge in Saudi Arabia have been beaten and tortured so badly that they required hospital treatment.

Top Saudi Royals Tortured after Detention in Bin Salman-Led Purge
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13960821000555

(Condensed version)
 
Aeneas said:
Saudi Arabia did unblock the port of Yemen, so perhaps some major power such as Russia told MBS to behave if it didn't want to ostracize itself from a potential new semi-alliance with Russia.

https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201711081058925244-saudi-coalition-blockade-yemen-port/

Saudi-Led Coalition Removes Blockade on Major Yemeni Port of Aden

The port has been closed in the wake of a missile launched by Houthi rebels targeting Saudi Arabia.

A local source has told Sputnik that the Saudi-led coalition had removed the blockade of the major Yemeni port of Aden, which will now be able to resume receiving humanitarian aid.

"The leadership of the port has received the consent of the Arab coalition to resume work after three days since the announcement by the coalition on the closure of all sea, air and land harbors in Yemen," the source said.

According to the Saudi Foreign Ministry’s Twitter account, the coalition "took care of continuing the passage of aid and humanitarian goods" in Yemen.

It appears that Saudi Arabia didn't open the essential ports to Yemen, but that Fake news circulated to that effect. The port of Aden has been opened, but does not have the capacity for commercial and humanitarian cargo according to the UN. So KSA just did a cosmetic opening of the blockade and made a PR effort about it, while in reality the stranglehold on Yemen just got increased.

https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/saudi-arabia-refuses-reopen-vital-yemeni-port/

Saudi Arabia refuses to reopen vital Yemeni port
By Leith Fadel - 14/11/20170

The Saudi-led coalition will take steps in the coming 24 hours to ease the blockade on Yemen — but will not reopen a key rebel-held port to aid shipments unless tighter inspections are put in place, Saudi Arabia’s U.N. ambassador said Monday.

The coalition fighting rebels in Yemen shut down the country’s land, sea and air borders a week ago in response to a missile attack by the Iran-backed Huthis that was intercepted near Riyadh.

U.N. aid chief Mark Lowcock last week warned that unless the blockade is lifted, Yemen will face “the largest famine the world has seen for many decades, with millions of victims.”

Saudi Ambassador Abdallah al-Mouallimi told reporters that ports in government-controlled areas such as Aden, Mukalla and Mocha will be reopened, but demanded tighter restrictions on the key port of Hodeida.

“If the sea port of Hodeida is to be reopened, it will have to be under safe conditions that would ensure that there will be no supply of weapons and ammunitions coming through that port,” Mouallimi said.

The coalition has invited the United Nations to send experts to Riyadh for talks on tightening inspections. U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said it is “taking a look” at that request.

The United Nations insisted its aid operations need access to the Hodeida and Saleef ports, saying that more than two-thirds of the people in need and 80 percent of all cholera cases are closest to the two ports.

The port at Aden does not have the capacity for commercial and humanitarian cargo, and unless the Red Sea ports in Hodeida and Saleef are opened immediately, the U.N. will not be able to feed 7 million people every month,” said Dujarric.

The United Nations has listed Yemen as the world’s number one humanitarian crisis, with 17 million people in need of food, seven million of whom are at risk of famine.

More than 2,000 Yemenis have died in a cholera outbreak now affecting nearly one million people.

The U.N.’s World Food Program warned that current stocks of rice will run out in 111 days and wheat in 97 unless the blockade is lifted.

Saudi Arabia and its allies intervened in Yemen in March 2015 to push back the Iran-backed Huthi rebels who control the capital Sanaa, and restore the government of President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi to power.

Source: AFP

https://www.sott.net/article/367647-Having-lost-the-war-against-Yemen-Saudis-try-genocide
Having lost the war against Yemen, Saudis try genocide

Fakenews:
Saudi Arabia ends its blockade of Yemen's ports and airports - Daily Mail
Saudi-led coalition says will reopen Yemen ports - Anadolu
Yemeni ports to reopen for aid, says Saudi Arabia - Deutsche Welle
...
From the last link:
Saudi Arabia reacting to UN famine warnings says ports in Yemen it controls will reopen for aid deliveries. Riyadh shut them down last week after a missile attack blamed on Iran-backed Houthi rebels.
The above headlines are false. The Saudi government announced the re-opening of some Yemeni ports and airports. All of these are in the south and under control of Saudi proxy forces who are fighting the Houthi-Saleh alliance in north-west Yemen. Some 70% of the population lives in the north-western areas which will continue to be under an extreme blockade. The most important port in their area is Hodeida which will stay closed. Back in March the U.S. Pentagon tried to get control of the port. But fighting for it would have destroyed the piers and thereby the supply route for some 20 million people. The most important airport is in Sanaa. The Saudi/U.S./UK alliance blocks even UN flights with medical supplies from using it.

The Saudis now "request" the UN to send an expert commission to Riyadh to "discuss" procedures for future control of the ports that are not held by its proxies. Such a process will take weeks if not months. The Saudis will, like the Pentagon earlier, demand total control over the ports which their opponents will of course not give. Any such fighting will only worsen the situation.

Thanks to local smugglers some food and other goods will still be able to pass through the blockade. But these will be way too few and too expensive for the vast majority of Yemenis. When the recent blockade was announced, food and gas prices in Yemen doubled overnight. Public service employees have not been paid for more than 15 months.

[...]
 
A Lebanese newspaper said it has gained access to a secret letter sent by Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman which includes proposals and issues related to establishment of relations with Israel.

Lebanese Paper Reveals Saudi FM's Secret Letter to Crown Prince on Ties with Israel
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13960823000941

The Arabic-language al-Akhbar daily revealed the document for the first time on Tuesday.

The document discloses all events that have happened since US President Donald Trump's recent visit to Saudi Arabia and Washington's attempts to mediate endorsement of a peace agreement between Riyadh and Tel Aviv.

It also includes information about the Saudi and Israeli officials' visits to Tel Aviv and Riyadh.

"Saudi Arabia's closeness to Israel entails a risk for the kingdom. We will not do so unless we feel an honest American trend in opposition to Iran, which is destabilizing the region," a part of the long letter said.

In addition, the principles of the Israeli-Palestinian peace plan concocted by the Saudis were laid out. As part of the plan, the Saudi kingdom demanded military equilibrium with Israel, Israel's help in stopping Iranian overtures on the Middle East and turning Jerusalem into a city governed by international rule, according to al-Akhbar.

In relevant remarks in June, Saudi whistle-blower Mujtahid, who is believed to be a member of or have a well-connected source in the royal family, revealed that bin Salman is attempting to pave the ground for overt relations with Israel.

"In line with preparing the public opinion to establish open ties with Israel, bin Salman has launched a media and twitter campaign and gifts any twitter activist or reporter who helps him in this regard," Mujtahid wrote on his twitter page.

Also in the same month, a leading Arab daily disclosed secret meetings between bin Salman and Israeli officials in the past two years.

Al-Qods al-Arabi newspaper reported that the Israeli media have all voiced pleasure in Mohammed bin Salman's appointment as the crown prince, adding that this development has long been wished by the Israelis.

The Arab daily quoted the Israeli newspaper Yediot Aharonot as reporting that the intelligence sources have confirmed that bin Salman has held meetings with the Israeli officials under a secret name, Walad, in the past two years.

The Israeli daily didn’t reveal the venues and time for the meetings, but wrote that Israel and Saudi Arabia have common foes, friends and interests.


Lebanese Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri who resigned from his post in Saudi Arabia earlier this month announced that he will return to Beirut soon.

Hariri to Return to Lebanon within Next 2 Days
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13960823001758

Hariri made the comments in a twitter post on Tuesday, stressing that he is in good health and will return to Lebanon within the next 2 days.

He also added that his family members will remain in Saudi Arabia.

The post was written after Lebanese President Michel Aoun said on Saturday Hariri, who announced his resignation in a broadcast from Saudi Arabia, has been “kidnapped” and must have immunity.

Aoun made the remarks in a meeting with foreign ambassadors in the capital Beirut, a senior unnamed Lebanese official said on Saturday.


A senior advisor to Lebanese President Michel Aoun said that Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri resigned after rejecting a US plot against his country.

Advisor to Lebanese President: Hariri's Resignation Due to Opposition to US Plots
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13960823001472

"A message was received from outside Lebanon that showed a number of influential people in the US administration wanted to hit a blow to Lebanon, but Saad Hariri voiced clear opposition to it and his opposition has cost him the present situation that has been enforced since last Saturday," John Aziz told al-Mayadeen news channel on Monday night.

He added that the Lebanese' unity and firm position in support of Hariri changed the Americans' stances and forced them to withdraw from their plots.


Baghdad has decided to postpone a visit by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the country, a source close to the Iraqi prime minister said.

Arab Media: Baghdad Not Ready to Host Saudi Crown Prince
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13960823000749

The source was quoted by Arabi 21 news website as saying that given the regional conditions, Baghdad cannot host the Saudi crown prince.

This is while during his recent trip to Riyadh, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi had invited bin Salman to visit Baghdad in November.

Jassem Jafar, a senior Iraqi parliamentarian, said that the recent events in Saudi Arabia, the region and Lebanon, specially resignation of Lebanese Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri, have complicated the situation.

"Iraq wants to remain independent and not to support any side and the time is naturally not ripe for the Saudi crown prince's visit unless the results of the current events will be clear," he added.

Reports said in October that bin Salman will visit Baghdad soon after the recent rapprochement between Iraq and Saudi Arabia.

Sources said that Abdul Hussein al-Ezerjawi, a leader in the National Iraqi Allainace (NIA), has asserted that the Saudi crown prince’s visit comes as a response to Abadi’s recent visit to Riyadh.
 
Former Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri will fly from Saudi Arabia to France, the French President’s office told the AFP News Agency on Wednesday.

Saad Hariri to leave Saudi Arabia for France: Macron 16/11/2017
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/saad-hariri-leave-saudi-arabia-france-macron/

Hariri was invited to Paris by French President Emmanuel Macron during the latter’s brief visit to Saudi Arabia earlier this week.

Macron’s office further added that Hariri is not being offered exile status, but rather, the French President wants to help alleviate tensions in Lebanon.

Hariri is expected to fly to France, today, Lebanon’s LBCI TV reported.

The former premier resigned from his post on Saturday, November 4th, ending his short tenure in office.


The Future Movement lashed out at Syrian President, Bashar Al-Assad, after his recent comments regarding former Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri.

Hariri’s political party lashes out at Syrian President over recent comments
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/hariris-political-party-lashes-syrian-president-recent-comments/

“Remarks were attributed to the criminal terrorist regime of Bashar Assad accusing PM Hariri of not being the master of himself. Assad is the last creature on earth entitled to speak of sovereignty and freedom of decision,” the Future Movement statement read, as quoted by Naharnet.

“Assad must stop sticking his nose in Lebanon’s affairs and he must stop spreading poison in Lebanese issues,” the statement concluded.

The Future Movement’s response came after Assad stated that “Hariri is not the master himself and he was sacked and did not resign.”

Hariri has been the leader of the Future Party since 2005.


Baha’a Hariri told the Associated Press on Wednesday that he supported his brother Saad’s decision to step down from his positions as Lebanese Prime Minister.

Saad Hariri’s brother blames Hezbollah, Iran for his resignation
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/saad-hariris-brother-blames-hezbollah-iran-resignation/

“I support my brother Saad’s decision to resign as prime minister of Lebanon in the face of the growing demands and actions of Hizbullah, Iran’s surrogate party, in Lebanon,” the statement by Bahaa Hariri said.

In typical fashion, the elder Hariri blamed Iran and Hezbollah for his brother’s decision to step down, citing the latter’s interference in Arab affairs as the primary reason for the resignation.

“Only a pernicious outside actor, such as Iran and its surrogate, Hizbullah, can upset the balance as this group now seeks to take control of Lebanon,” the statement concluded.

Saad Hariri resigned from his position as Lebanese Prime Minister during an unannounced trip to Saudi Arabia on Saturday, November 4th – he is now traveling to France for a short stay.


The Lebanese president has accused Saudi Arabia of holding Hariri and his family.

Saudi FM Denies 'Groundless Rumors' That Hariri Was Detained
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201711161059161034-saudi-arabia-hariri-free/

The rumors that Hariri is being held in Saudi Arabia against his will are groundless. He stays in Saudi Arabia voluntarily and can leave whenever he wants," Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Adel Jubeir has stated at a joint press conference with his French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian, adding that Lebanese President Michel Aoun's statements claiming Hariri was detained by the Saudi authorities are false.

The statement comes after Aoun has accused Saudi Arabia of holding Hariri and his family, adding that the alleged detention of the former Lebanese prime minister constitutes a breach of human rights.

Most recently, French President Emmanuel Macron has invited Hariri and his family to visit France, with media repors emerging earlier in the day that the ex-prime minister might leave Saudi Arabia for Paris within 48 hours, after which he would return to Beirut to officially step down.

Previously, Hariri, who earlier had met a number of European and US diplomat, has pledged to return to Lebanon, emphasizing that he is "perfectly fine."

Hariri — who served as prime minister from 2009 to 2011 and took the office again in November 2016 — announced his resignation in a video address from Saudi Arabia on November 4, expressing fears that he could be assassinated, like his father, in Lebanon, as well as accusing Tehran and the Iran-backed Hezbollah movement of alleged attempts to destabilize the situation in Lebanon as well as across the Middle East, a claim strongly denied by the Islamic Republic as groundless.


Egypt’s former security chief during the Mubarak-era, notorious for his track record of brutality and use of torture, reportedly began serving as an advisor to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman amid Riyadh’s mass purge of the country’s royals and top businessmen.

Report: Egypt’s Criminal Ex-Security Chief Advising Saudi Crown Prince
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13960825000953

The news comes following reports that as many as 17 high-profile figures recently detained in Saudi Arabia during Riyadh’s so-called anti-corruption campaign required medical treatment after they sustained serious injuries under beatings and torture, presstv reported.

According to the New York Times, Habib el-Adly is currently serving as an advisor to Crown Prince Mohammed, one of his advisers and a former Egyptian interior minister said.

Adly currently faces corruption charges over embezzlement of $6.9 million from the assets of the Egyptian Interior Ministry.

In reaction to the New York Times, Adly’s lawyer said he has not left the country and that his defendant is still in Cairo waiting to attend his next trial session on January 11 next year.

Authorities at the Saudi Royal Court referred press queries about the issue to the Saudi Embassy in Washington, where a spokeswoman, Fatimah Baeshen, said the diplomatic mission could not confirm or dispute the reports.


The Israeli military chief, Lt. Gen. Gadi Eisenkot, told the Arab newspaper, Elaph, that his country is ready to work with Saudi Arabia to defeat Iran.

Israel ready to work with Saudi Arabia to defeat Iran – report 16/11/2017
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/israel-ready-work-saudi-arabia-defeat-iran-report/

According to a quote from the Haaretz, the Israeli chief told Elaph “Iran seeks to take control of the Middle East, creating a Shi’ite crescent from Lebanon to Iran and then from the [Persian] Gulf to the Red Sea.”

“We must prevent this from happening,” he added.

“We see Iranian attempts at bringing about an escalation, but I don’t see a high chance for this at the moment,” he continued.

During this exclusive interview, Eisenkot highlighted the need for Israel and Saudi Arabia to form a coalition with the US to tackle the Iranian issue.

“With President Trump. there is an opportunity to build a new international coalition in the region. We need to carry out a large and inclusive strategic plan to stop the Iranian danger. We are willing to exchange information with moderate Arab countries, including intelligence information in order to deal with Iran,” added Eisenkot.

Israel has long opposed the Iranian presence in Syria and has often called on the US Coalition and Russia to pressure the Persian Gulf nation to leave the country.

Iran maintains they are legally operating inside Syria because the government in Damascus has welcomed their presence and assistance in several matters.
 
The (outgoing) Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri has arrived in the French capital city of Paris after finally being allowed to depart Saudi Arabia.

Hariri arrives in Paris November 18th, 2017
http://www.fort-russ.com/2017/11/hariri-arrives-in-paris.html

On Saturday morning, a Boeing aircraft carrying Hariri landed at Le Bourget Airport in Paris where a Lebanese delegation was waiting.

Hariri was accompanied only by his wife Lara, however, the Lebanese media said that his eldest son Hossam arrived n France yesterday already. His two other children reportedly stayed in Saudi Arabia.

Hariri is expected to meet with the French President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace later in the day.

Before leaving the country, Hariri wrote on his Twitter account that he was on his way to the airport to leave Riyadh, denying the rumours that he was being held in Saudi Arabia.

In an unexpected move, Hariri announced his resignation while visiting Saudi Arabia on November 4th, citing the growing influence of Iran and Hezbollah, as well as possible attempts on his life, as the main reasons behind his sudden decision.


PARIS: French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed Saad Hariri for talks Saturday, an AFP reporter said, hours after the Lebanese premier arrived from Saudi Arabia in the midst of a political crisis.

French President Macron welcomes Lebanon’s Hariri to Elysee Palace
http://www.arabnews.com/node/1195406/middle-east

Hariri, who made a resignation announcement on November 4 and has since fended off claims he was being held in Saudi Arabia against his will, was also due to have lunch with Macron. Macron has been attempting to help broker a solution to a political crisis that has raised fears over Lebanon’s fragile democracy. Lebanese President Michel Aoun has refused to accept Hariri’s resignation while he remains abroad, and Macron said ahead of the talks that he would be welcomed “with the honors due to a prime minister.”
Aoun said on Saturday that he had spoken by telephone to the premier after his arrival in Paris, and that Hariri said he would be back in Lebanon for Independence Day celebrations on Wednesday.

VIDEO: Saad Hariri and his family meet French President Macron at Elysee
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIgSLv8cuRc (0:54 min.)


Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri, who has not returned to Beirut since his surprise resignation two weeks ago, will be home for Independence Day on Wednesday, the president’s office said.

Hariri will be in Lebanon for Independence Day on Wednesday
http://www.arabnews.com/node/1195331/middle-east

Hariri telephoned President Michel Aoun after arriving in France from Saudi Arabia on Saturday and “told him that he would be in Lebanon to take part in Independence Day celebrations,” it said.


Lebanon's Resigned Prime Minister Saad Hariri will return to Beirut on Tuesday, the Lebanese Presidency has announced.

Resigned PM Hariri to Return to Lebanon Tuesday
https://www.tasnimnews.com/en/news/2017/11/18/1577632/resigned-pm-hariri-to-return-to-lebanon-tuesday

This came during a phone call Hariri made on Saturday with Lebanese President Michel Aoun from Paris, the Presidency said in a statement.

According to the statement, Hariri told Aoun that he will return to Beirut on Tuesday to take part in Independence Day celebrations, which will be held on Wednesday, Anadolu Agency reported.

Hariri also made a phone call with Parliament Speaker Nabil Berri during which he confirmed his participation in the Independence Day, Berri’s media office said in a statement.

Hariri arrived in France earlier Saturday from Saudi Arabia, two weeks after he announced a surprise resignation during a televised address from the oil-rich kingdom.


BERLIN, Germany - Saudi Arabia has recalled its ambassador to Germany.

Saudi Arabia recalls ambassador from Germany following Hariri comments
http://www.fort-russ.com/2017/11/breaking-saudi-arabia-recalls.html

This move was made in response to comments by German foreign minister Sigmar Gabriel suggesting that Saudi Arabia has detained Saad Hariri.

The German foreign ministry quoted Gabriel on its website as telling his Lebanese counterpart Gebran Bassil “Germany stands firmly by Lebanon’s side”. He reportedly added: “Another trouble spot is the last thing that people in the Middle East need now.”

Saudi Arabia however hit back at these comments made by the German minister.

“Such remarks provoke the surprise and disapproval of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia which considers them as aimless and based on false information that would not help bring about stability in the region,” the Saudi ministry said.


US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was doing well in transforming the country.

US Treasury Secretary praises Saudi Arabia amid its preparations for war with Iran and Hezbollah
http://www.fort-russ.com/2017/11/us-treasure-secretary-praises-saudi.html

Commenting on the recent Saudi regime “anti-corruption” purges, the US official said the United States is closely watching the situation in Saudi Arabia amid reported asset agreements between Saudi authorities and some detainees in an anti-corruption crackdown.

“I think Mohammed bin Salman is doing well in terms of transforming the country”, Mnuchin said.

Recently, bin Salman announced he is preparing for a confrontation with Iran and Hezbollah, during which he would resort to the Israeli military aid.

According to reports in the Israeli media, bin Salman reportedly offered billions of Dollars to Israel.


Saudi Prince Miteb bin Abdullah, the son of the late King Abdullah who was once considered a future crown prince, was beaten and tortured, along with five other princes, when he was arrested in Riyadh during the ongoing political purge in the kingdom, a report said.

Saudi Regime Torture Victims Include Former King's Son: Report November, 18, 2017
https://www.tasnimnews.com/en/news/2017/11/18/1576992/saudi-regime-torture-victims-include-former-king-s-son-report

All six princes were admitted to hospital in the 24 hours following their arrest. One of the men was in such a bad condition that he was admitted to the hospital’s intensive care unit - treatment which occurs when there is a high risk to the life of a patient, such as organ failure, from the heart, lungs, kidneys, or high blood pressure, according to the report by the Middle East Eye.

Hospital staff were told that the injuries sustained in each case were the result of “suicide attempts”. All had been severely beaten, but none of them had fractures. The marks on their bodies were consistent with the imprints left by military boots.

At least 17 of those detained were taken to hospital, but the number maltreated in the purge ordered by the current Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is certainly higher, the report added.

Medical units have now been installed in the Ritz-Carlton hotel where the beatings have taken place. This is to prevent torture victims from being taken to hospital.

In addition to the Ritz-Carlton, the detainees were also held in two other hotels including the Courtyard, Diplomatic Quarter hotel which is across the road from the Ritz-Carlton.

Both the Ritz-Carlton and the Courtyard are run by the Marriott International hotel chain. A spokesperson for Marriott International told Middle East Eye on Friday that the Ritz-Carlton and the Courtyard, Diplomatic Quarter were “not operating as traditional hotels for the time being”.

According to a civil rights attorney in Houston, Texas, the hotels are only liable to Saudi Arabian laws.

If there is a crime being committed, then that crime is governed by the country which you are in," Randall Kallinen said.

Both hotels appeared to be booked out and not admitting guests for the whole of December, according to their websites on Friday.

Prince Miteb, who is 65, served as minister of the National Guard, a military force drawn from tribes loyal to the House of Saud whose main role is to protect the royal family, from 2013 until his arrest on 4 November.

Prince Miteb has a background in the military and was considered among the possible contenders to inherit his father's throne prior to the appointment of the current King Salman as crown prince in 2012.

The report can also confirm that Prince Abdul Aziz bin Fahd, the son of the late King Fahd who was arrested after this year’s Hajj in early September, was admitted to hospital close to the time of his arrest, although his fate is still unclear.

The purge, conducted in the name of an anti-corruption drive, has also involved the freezing of around 1,700 bank accounts.

According to other sources, bin Salman has claimed he intends to collect $1 trillion from the princes and businessmen that he has arrested.

The Financial Times newspaper reported on Thursday that Saudi authorities were offering deals to detainees, including billionaire tycoons such as Al-Waleed bin Talal bin Abdulaziz, in which they would surrender up to 70 percent of their wealth in return for their freedom.

The arrests, interrogation and mistreatment being conducted in hotels owned by a US-based chain with an international reputation has raised questions about how Marriott International has allowed its facilities to be used in such a way.

Middle East Eye asked Marriott International to clarify what its company policy was on allowing its premises to be used as detention facilities and asked for comment on allegations that detainees were being tortured.

A spokesperson said, "The Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh and the Courtyard, Diplomatic Quarter are not operating as traditional hotels for the time being. We continue to work with the local authorities on this matter.

"We remain in close contact with the guests and groups holding existing reservations; working with them to assist with their reservations and minimize disruption to their travel and event plans."
 
Lebanon's outgoing Prime Minister Saad Hariri who arrived in Paris on Saturday after being held in Saudi Arabia for nearly two weeks, will head to Egypt on Monday, TV network Al Mayadeen TV reports, adding that he plans to visit Kuwait before returning to Lebanon.

Hariri to visit Egypt on Monday
http://www.fort-russ.com/2017/11/hariri-to-visit-egypt-on-monday.html

Earlier, the news agency Reuters reported that Hariri will visit Egypt on Monday, quoting a source from the Lebanese Future Movement which is led by the outgoing Prime Minister.

Hariri is expected to arrive in Lebanon in the coming days to meet with the President Michel Aoun.

Previously, Hariri promised to return to Lebanon to attend the Independence Day celebrations which will take place on Wednesday.

He affirmed that upon his arrival in Lebanon, he will explain the whole situation and clarify his position.


A senior Lebanese official said that the Lebanese Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil will not attend a Sunday meeting of foreign ministers of Arab League member states in Cairo.

Lebanese FM to skip the Saudi-led Arab League meeting on confronting Iran
http://www.fort-russ.com/2017/11/lebanese-fm-to-skip-saudi-led-arab.html

The official source explained that the minister wanted to avoid tensions which are likely to emerge when discussing the role of Hezbollah with Saudi Arabia and its allies.

The emergency meeting of Arab foreign ministers was reportedly scheduled at the request of Saudi Arabia, with the support of the UAE, Bahrain and Kuwait.

The purpose of the meeting is to discuss ways to address the “Iranian interference” in the internal affairs of Arab states.
 
After jailing dozens of members of the royal family, and extorting numerous prominent businessmen, 32-year-old Saudi prince Mohammed bin Salman has widened his so-called 'corruption' probe further still.

Saudi 'Corruption' Probe Widens: Dozens Of Military Officials Arrested
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2017-11-17/saudi-corruption-probe-widens-dozens-military-officials-arrested

The Wall Street Journal reports that at least two dozen military officers, including multiple commanders, recently have been rounded up in connection to the Saudi government’s sweeping corruption investigation, according to two senior advisers to the Saudi government.

Additionally, several prominent businessmen also were taken in by Saudi authorities in recent days.

A number of businessmen including Loai Nasser, Mansour al-Balawi, Zuhair Fayez and Abdulrahman Fakieh also were rounded up in recent days, the people said.

Attempts to reach the businessmen or their associates were unsuccessful.

It isn’t clear if those people are all accused of wrongdoing, or whether some of them have been called in as witnesses. But their detainment signals an intensifying high-stakes campaign spearheaded by Saudi Arabia’s 32-year-old crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman.

There appear to be three scenarios behind MbS' decision to go after the military:

1) They are corrupt and the entire process is all above board and he is doing the right thing by cleaning house;

2) They are wealthy and thus capable of being extorted (a cost of being free) to add to the nation's coffers; or

3) There is a looming military coup and by cutting off the head, he hopes to quell the uprising.

If we had to guess we would weight the scenarios as ALL true with the (3) becoming more likely, not less.

So far over 200 people have been held without charges since the arrests began on November 4th and almost 2000 bank accounts are now frozen, which could be why, as The Daily Mail reports, Saudi prince and billionaire Al-Waleed bin Talal has reportedly put two luxury hotels in Lebanon up for sale after being detained in his country during a corruption sweep.

The Saudi information ministry previously stated the government would seize any asset or property related to the alleged corruption, meaning the Savoy hotel could well become the state property of the kingdom.

'The accounts and balances of those detained will be revealed and frozen,' a spokesman for Saudi Arabia's information ministry said.

'Any asset or property related to these cases of corruption will be registered as state property."

As we noted previously, it appears clear that MbS has decided to enforce a 70% wealth tax...the Financial Times reports today that the Saudi government has offered the new occupants of the Riyadh Ritz-Carlton a way out.... and it’s going to cost them: In some cases, as much as 70% of their net worth.

Saudi authorities are negotiating settlements with princes and businessmen held over allegations of corruption, offering deals for the detainees to pay for their freedom, people briefed on the discussions say.

In some cases the government is seeking to appropriate as much as 70 per cent of suspects’ wealth, two of the people said, in a bid to channel hundreds of billions of dollars into depleted state coffers.

The arrangements, which have already seen some assets and funds handed over to the state, provide an insight into the strategy behind Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s dramatic corruption purge.

The country’s attorney-general has said he is investigating allegations of corruption amounting to at least $100 billion - though the total value of assets seized could be as high as $800 billion. Though the Financial Times puts the high-end figure at a relatively modest $300 billion; to make up for the delta, more arrests are still expected.

Regular Saudis, who’ve seen their benefits cut and some of their jobs taken away, support MbS’s decision. “Why should the poor take all the pain of austerity,” said one Saudi academic. “The rich need to pay their way too.”

In Saudi Arabia, they are about to do just that.

* * *
While MbS also continues to get the support of US officials, not everyone is convinced that the anti-corruption probe will succeed...

As Counterpunch.org's Patrick Cockburn warns in fact, it is doomed to fail...

About eight or nine years ago, I had an Afghan friend who previously worked for a large US aid agency funding projects in the Afghan provinces. He had been hired to monitor their progress once work had got underway, but he did not hold the job very long for reasons that he explained to me.

The problem for the Americans at the local agency headquarters in Kabul was that the risk of ambush by the Taliban was deemed too high for them personally to visit the projects that they were funding. Instead, they followed the construction from one step removed, by insisting that the Afghan company involved should transmit back to Kabul, at set intervals, detailed pictures of its activities, to show that they were fulfilling their contract to the letter.

Almost as an afterthought, the aid agency thought it might be useful to send along an Afghan in their employ to check that all was well. His first mission was to go to Kandahar province, where some plant – I seem to remember it was a vegetable packing facility – was believed to be rising somewhere in the dangerous hinterland. He went there, but, despite earnest inquiries, was unable to locate the project.

Back in Kandahar city, he asked around about the mystery of the missing vegetable plant, but found that his questions were answered evasively by those he contacted.

Finally, he met somebody who, under a pledge of secrecy about the source of the information, explained to him what was happening.

Businessmen in Kandahar receiving funds from the aid agency and knowing its reliance on photographs to monitor works in progress, had found it safer and more profitable to fake the whole process.

They engaged a small local company with experience of making TV advertisements and documentaries to rig up what was, in effect, a film studio – in which workers played by extras would be shown busily engaged in whatever activity the agency was paying for. In the case of the vegetable-packing facility, this must have been simple enough to fake by buying cabbages and cauliflowers in the market to be placed in boxes inside some shed by labourers hired by the day.

My friend returned to Kabul and hinted to his employers that this particular project in Kandahar was not doing as well as they imagined. He thought that it would be unhealthy for himself to go into detail, but he did not, at this stage, resign from his well-paying job. This only happened a few months later, when he was sent to Jalalabad to check on a chicken farm supposedly nearing completion outside the city.

Once again, he could not find the project in question and, when he met those in charge, put it to them that it did not exist. They admitted that this was indeed so, but – according to his report – they added menacingly that he should keep in mind that “it was a long road back to Kabul from Kandahar”. In other words, they would kill him if he exposed their scam: a threat that convinced him his long-term chances of survival were low unless he rapidly resigned and found new employment.

I was thinking of the story of the Kandahar packing plant and the Jalalabad chicken farm, when Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman launched his anti-corruption drive in Saudi Arabia last weekend.

There may be a big difference in the amount of money to be made out of looting the Saudi state compared to US aid agencies in Afghanistan, but the psychology and processes at work have similarities.

In both cases, those making a lot of money out of corruption will put more effort into going on doing just that, than those who say they are determined to stop them. If a few wealthy individuals are scapegoated, then others will jostle to take their place.

It is important to take on board, when considering the case of Saudi Arabia, that many oil- or resource-rich states – be they monarchies or republics – have launched their own anti-corruption drives down the years. All have failed, and for roughly the same reasons.

Iraq, so different from Saudi Arabia in terms of history, religion and politics, is likewise entirely dependent on oil revenues. Its next biggest export used to be dates, though today even these are often imported from China. Corruption is chronic, particularly in giant infrastructure projects. Four years ago, I was in Baghdad early in the year, when there was heavier than usual rainfall, which led to a large part of the eastern side of the city disappearing under a foot of grey water mixed with sewage. This was despite $7bn (£5.3bn) supposedly spent on new sewers and drainage systems, but which, in the event, turned out not to function – or even to exist.

The problem in resource-rich states is that corruption is not marginal to political power, but central to acquiring it and keeping it. Corruption at the top is a form of patronage manipulated by those in charge, to create and reward a network of self-interested loyalists. It is the ruling family and its friends and allies who cherrypick what is profitable: this is as true of Saudi Arabia as it was true of Libya under Gaddafi, Iraq under Saddam Hussein and his successors, or Iraqi Kurdistan that was supposedly different from the rest of the country.

Corruption is a nebulous concept when it comes to states with arbitrary rulers, who can decide – unrestrained by law or democratic process – what is legal and what is illegal. What typifies the politics of oil states is that everybody is trying to plug into the oil revenues in order to get their share of the cake.

This is true at the top, but the same is the case of the rest of the population, or at least a large and favoured section of it.

The Iraqi government pays $4bn a month to about seven million state employees and pensioners. These may or may not do productive work, but it would be politically risky to fire them because they are the base support of the regime in power.

Anti-corruption drives don’t work, because if they are at all serious, they soon begin to cut into the very roots of political power by touching the “untouchables”. At this point principled anti-corruption campaigners will find themselves in serious trouble and may have to flee the country, while the less-principled ones will become a feared weapon to be used against anybody whom the government wants to target.

A further consequence of the traditional anti-corruption drive is that it can paralyse government activities in general. This is because all officials, corrupt and incorrupt alike, know that they are vulnerable to investigation.

“The safest course for them is to take no decision and sign no document which might be used or misused against them,” a frustrated American businessman told me in Baghdad some years ago. He added that it was only those so politically powerful that they did not have to fear legal sanctions who would take decisions – and such people were often the most corrupt of all.
 
Tel Aviv has told Riyadh it will support any UN Security Council resolution condemning Iran's interference in Lebanon and the region, the Israeli media reported on Monday.

"We are with you" - Israel assures its commitment to preserve Saudi interests
http://www.fort-russ.com/2017/11/we-are-with-you-israel-assures-its.html

According to the newspaper Israel Today which was quoting a senior Arab diplomat source, Israel sent a letter to Saudi Arabia, informing the Kingdom that it will support any draft resolution submitted to the UN Security Council that condemns the Iranian “interference” in Lebanon and denounces Tehran's “negative influence” on the stability of the region.

The letter came after an emergency session of Arab foreign ministers was held at the headquarters of the so-called Arab League in Cairo on Sunday.

The meeting was initiated by Saudi Arabia in order to discuss the Iranian interference in the Middle East.
 
Saad Hariri arrived at the Rafic Hariri International Airport, tonight, after a short visit to nearby Cyprus.

Hariri returns to Lebanon after Cyprus trip
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/breaking-hariri-returns-lebanon-cyprus-trip/

The former Prime Minister was pictured leaving his private jet in Beirut, tonight, as he returns to Lebanon for the first time since his resignation.

Hariri was scheduled to arrive in Lebanon ahead of independence day; however, his abrupt trip to Cyprus left his return in question.

The former premier is expected to attend Wednesday’s celebrations.


Former Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri attended the Lebanese Independence Day military parade in Beirut on Wednesday.

Hariri attends Independence Day celebrations in Beirut
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/hariri-attends-independence-day-celebrations-beirut-video/

Hariri returned to Lebanon on Tuesday night, after his sudden resignation on a visit to Riyadh on November 4. Saudi Arabia was accused of detaining Hariri against his will, but both the Saudis and Hariri deny this.

The Lebanese prime minister appeared alongside President Michel Aoun, who has yet to accept the former’s resignation. They will meet to discuss the political crisis later today.

Independence Day celebrates the end of the French Mandate over Lebanon on 22 November 1943.


Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri temporarily put his resignation on hold following a request by President Michel Amount for him to reconsider the decision.

Hariri's Resignation on Hold After Talks with Aoun
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13960901001239

“I presented my resignation to President Aoun today and he urged me to wait” for more dialogue and “I showed responsiveness to this hope,” Hariri said following his meeting with Aoun in Beirut on Wednesday, presstv reported.

The premier also underlined his commitment to cooperation with President Aoun.

Hariri stunned the entire nation on November 4, when he announced his resignation in a statement broadcast from Saudi Arabia and plunged his homeland into a new political crisis.

Top Lebanese officials accused, Saudi Arabia of forcing his resignation and detaining him in the kingdom for days before letting him leave.

The premier finally returned home late on Tuesday after visits to France, Cyprus and Egypt.

Earlier today, Hariri along with President Aoun and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri attended a military parade to mark the country’s Independence Day, which brought an end to the French mandate over the country 74 years ago.

After the parade, Hariri attended a meeting with Aoun and Berri.


Saad Hariri said he is ready for a dialogue and cooperation with the president to resolve a number of disagreements.

Lebanon's PM Hariri Puts Resignation on Hold Pending Talks
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201711221059324468-hariri-resignation-talks/

The resignation took Saad Hariri's aides by surprise.

Hariri's resignation has led Lebanon to the forefront of the regional tensions between Sunni Muslim Saudi Arabia and Shiite Islamist Iran.
 
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