Lebanese President: Saudi Arabia Has Taken Saad Hariri Hostage

On Wednesday, November 15, the President of Lebanon accused Saudi Arabia of taking Saad Hariri, the Prime Minister of Lebanon, and his family hostage in a "hostile" act. According to Reuters, Michel Aoun stated in a statement: "We do not accept that he [Saad Hariri] remains a hostage, and we do not know the reasons for his detention." Jibran Bassil, the Foreign Minister of Lebanon and leader of Mr. Aoun's party, also said, "This situation is not normal," although Beirut seeks "good relations" with Riyadh. Hariri's sudden resignation, announced through a televised statement from Riyadh, has turned Lebanon into a focal point of the struggle and rivalry between Iran and Saudi Arabia in the Middle East. Michel Aoun has stated that he will not accept Hariri's resignation until he returns to Lebanon and formally submits his resignation. Hariri has said he will return to Lebanon in the coming days. Meanwhile, senior Lebanese government officials and those close to Saad Hariri told Reuters last week that Saudi Arabia has kept him and convinced him to resign. Mr. Hariri has denied the rumors of his detention and even promised to return to Lebanon on Thursday. The Saudi government also denies detaining Mr. Hariri or forcing him to resign. The coalition government of Lebanon was formed last year based on an agreement in which Michel Aoun became president and Saad Hariri became prime minister, with several members of Hezbollah also joining the cabinet. Last week, Saudi Arabia accused Lebanon of declaring war against it, citing Hezbollah's activities in other Arab countries. Saudi Arabia considers Hezbollah a terrorist group. However, the U.S. government generally holds a different position and continues to support Lebanon, including military aid. The European Union has also consistently supported Lebanon, which hosts about one and a half million Syrian refugees. Reuters adds that Saad Hariri warned in an interview on Sunday night with the television network he owns about the economic sanctions against Lebanon and threats to the status of hundreds of thousands of Lebanese residing in Saudi Arabia and Gulf Arab countries. Meanwhile, Michel Aoun stated: "Nothing justifies Saad Hariri's failure to return after twelve days. Therefore, we believe he is under detention." He added that Lebanon confirms that Hariri's family is also under house arrest in Saudi Arabia and is inspected whenever they leave or return home. Jibran Bassil, the Foreign Minister of Lebanon, also said on Wednesday during his visit to Italy: "We will take all necessary actions to resolve this issue in a brotherly manner and within the framework of good relations with Saudi Arabia." He added: "If Saudi Arabia has a problem with Iran or Hezbollah, it should resolve that problem with Iran, not with Lebanon and the Lebanese people." Saad Hariri tweeted that he is feeling well and, God willing, will return to Lebanon soon as promised. Saad Hariri holds Saudi citizenship, and his wealth comes from a construction company founded by his father, Rafik Hariri, who served two terms as Prime Minister of Lebanon and was assassinated in 2005. On Tuesday, Federica Mogherini, the EU's foreign policy chief, after meeting with the Lebanese Foreign Minister in Paris, expressed hope that Saad Hariri and his family would return to Lebanon soon. Sources linked to various political groups in Lebanon say that Saad Hariri's tone in the Sunday night interview was softer compared to his resignation statement, in which he strongly attacked Iran and Hezbollah.