Saad Hariri quits in speech televised from Saudi Arabia, citing Iranian influence in region and saying he fears assassinationSaad Hariri has unexpectedly resigned as Lebanon’s prime minister, citing Iranian influence across the region and claiming he feared the same fate as his assassinated father if he remained leader. The timing and location of the announcement suggested more was at stake than the immediate future of Lebanon. Saudi Arabia, a Hariri patron, has been rallying support in recent weeks to challenge its rival Iran, which it believes is months away from securing unprecedented influence in the region. Hariri said Iran “has a desire to destroy the Arab world and has boasted of its control of the decisions in all the Arab capitals. Hezbollah has played a prominent role in securing Assad’s position in Syria and clearing Lebanon’s borders, ostensibly from an extremist threat.

Source: The Guardian November 04, 2017 12:03 UTC