Lebanon's Prime Minister Saad Hariri has announced he is putting his resignation on hold to give way for more consultations nearly three weeks after he unexpectedly announced he was stepping down.
In surprise conciliatory comments from the presidential palace, Hariri said he is putting Lebanon's interest first and is looking forward to a "real partnership" with Lebanese President Michel Aoun.
He said he presented his resignation to Aoun at the presidential palace, but then responded to Aoun's request to take more time for consultations, "hoping it will constitute a serious introduction for (national) dialogue."
"Our beloved nation needs in this critical period exceptional efforts from everyone to protect it in the face of dangers and challenges," Hariri said in a statement from the presidential palace.
He reiterated the need for Lebanon to remain neutral on regional disputes and conflicts "and all that undermines internal stability and brotherly relations with Arab brothers."
Hariri's announcement suggests Saudi Arabia's young crown prince realised he had overreached with the decision to fire Hariri, which constituted another failed move to try and counter Iran.
Hariri's mysterious televised resignation from Saudi Arabia had sparked a political and diplomatic crisis as Lebanese officials accused the Gulf kingdom, which is feuding with Iran for influence in the region, of forcing the Sunni, Saudi-aligned politician to resign and detaining him for days.
Top Lebanese officials accused Hariri's patron, Saudi Arabia, of forcing his resignation and detaining him in the kingdom for days. The Lebanese rallied around Hariri, unanimously calling for his return from Saudi Arabia in what became an embarrassment to the kingdom.
Earlier on Wednesday, Hariri participated in Independence Day celebrations, his first official appearance since his resignation.
