Manama: Lebanese Prime Minister Sa’ad Hariri will have lunch with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysée today.
Hariri and his wife Lara landed in Paris this morning and the Prime Minister will be received by president Macron at noon.
The French leader will then host a lunch banquet in honour of Hariri that will be attended by his wife and his eldest son Husam, Hariri’s media office said.
Reports in France said that Macron and Hariri will have a tête-à-tête meeting at 12:20 and that the family of the Lebanese prime minister will join them at 12:30 for lunch.
Macron earlier said that he would receive Hariri “with the honours due a prime minister” because his resignation has not yet been officially recognised.
Hariri on November 4 announced his resignation from Saudi Arabia where he had stayed until early Saturday when he boarded his private jet.
He repeatedly denied speculations that he was being held in Saudi Arabia.
On his way to the airport, Hariri once more denied claims he was being held against his will in Saudi Arabia.
“To say that I am held up in Saudi Arabia and not allowed to leave the country is a lie. I am on the way to the airport Mr. Sigmar Gabriel,” he tweeted in English.
He singled out the German foreign minister after Gabriel made remarks about Hariri’s status.
The remarks prompted Saudi Arabia to describe them as “outrageous” and to summon its ambassador in Germany. A note of protest will be handed over to the German embassy in Riyadh, most likely on Sunday as Saturday is the second day of the weekend in Saudi Arabia and all institutions are closed.
The Lebanese news agency reported that Hariri told Lebanese President Michel Aoun that he would be in Beirut on time for the country’s Independence Day on Wednesday.
