Lebanese President Michel Aoun said on Saturday that Prime Minister Saad Hariri informed him about his surprise resignation that plunged the country into uncertainty.
“President Michel Aoun received a phone call from PM Saad Hariri, who is currently abroad, and informed him about the government’s resignation,” a statement issued from Baabda Palace said.
Aoun is waiting for Hariri’s return to Beirut “to hear the circumstances of his resignation” and to take appropriate action, the statement said.
Hariri announced his move in a televised statement, accusing Tehran of spreading chaos, strife and destruction throughout the region.
The head of al-Mustaqbal movement also said that the policies of “Hezbollah,” which is backed by Iran, have put Lebanon "in the eye of the storm."
Following the resignation, Lebanese Speaker Nabih Berri cut his visit to Egypt short and decided to return home.
Among the first politicians to react to Hariri’s move was Mustafa Alloush, a politician from al-Mustaqbal, who said the resignation came after the PM’s failure to bring Hezbollah to its senses.
Lebanese Forces MP Antoine Zahra hoped Hariri’s move would be “an Intifada for dignity to confront all political obstacles.”
Kataeb Party lawmaker Elie Marouni expressed surprise at Hariri’s move, saying “we should await to hear from him” about the circumstances of his resignation.
Former President Michel Suleiman hailed Hariri over his stance, saying: “Enough having two armies in Lebanon.”
He was referring to Hezbollah, which the PM accused of forming a state within the state.
