Hariri formally rescinds resignation

Beirut: Lebanese Prime Minister Sa’ad Hariri has formally rescinded his resignation following a consensus deal reached with rival political parties.

The announcement came at the end of the first Cabinet meeting to be held since Lebanon was thrown into a political crisis following Hariri’s stunning November 4 move.

Hariri shocked the nation with his resignation in a televised broadcast from Saudi Arabia last month, citing Hezbollah’s meddling in regional affairs as a main reason for stepping down.

Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting, attended by Hariri, endorsed a statement that calls on rival Lebanese groups to distance themselves from regional conflicts and the internal affairs of Arab countries.

The Arab and European diplomats said Hariri would take part in the meeting of the International Lebanon Support Group, a body that includes the five members of the UN Security Council — Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States.

A European diplomat said the meeting would be an opportunity to reinforce that the Lebanese must stick by the state policy of “disassociation”, or keeping out of regional conflicts.