Bahaa Hariri broke on Thursday his silence over the surprise resignation of his brother Prime Minister Saad Hariri.
He issued a statement whereby he voiced support for his brother’s decision.
The statement reads as follows:
“I support my brother Saad’s resignation as prime minister of Lebanon in the face of the growing demands and actions of Hezbollah, Iran’s surrogate party, in Lebanon.
Our family has always stood for the principles that make Lebanon unique in the world, a beautiful mosaic of different confessions and political backgrounds that demonstrate how people of different cultures and beliefs can live, grow and prosper in harmony. Only a pernicious outside actor, such as Iran and its surrogate, Hezbollah, can upset the balance as this group now seeks to take control of Lebanon.
In the tradition of our martyred father, Prime Minister Rafic Hariri, God rest his soul, the Hariri family will always put the interests of Lebanon first, no matter what the personal sacrifice.
Lebanon will always be grateful to the kingdom of Saudi Arabia for their decades of support to its national institutions.
I appeal to all Lebanon’s allies to join in supporting Lebanon as it restores its independence and sovereignty and to allow Lebanon, once again , to become the beacon of harmony, diversity, and prosperity that captures the admiration of the world.”
Saad Hariri traveled to Riyadh on November 3 before suddenly resigning a day later, and he has remained in the Saudi capital since then.
Hariri cited Hezbollah's polices and assassination plots as reasons behind his resignation.
Lebanese officials and officials believe however that he was forced to quit and that he is being held hostage in KSA.
Hariri and Saudi Arabia have both denied he is being held in Riyadh or was forced to resign.