Hamadeh Urges 'Considering Content of Hariri's Resignation Announcement'

Education Minister Marwan Hamadeh on Thursday said the content of Prime Minister Saad Hariri's resignation text came to remind how Lebanon's national unity government used to be before “turning towards another axis in the region.”

“The text of the resignation came in the framework of reminding how the national unity government was before it shifted towards another axis in the region,” said Hamadeh in an interview to radio VDL (93.3).

The Minister urged those “wailing over” Hariri's resignation to “pay attention to the content of the resignation otherwise it is unlikely for him to return to the country or participate in any future government,” added Hamadeh.

He also said that the “government's performance regarding the financial indicators and international confidence has declined significantly.”

He warned against “rumors” circulating about Hariri's fate and said: “We may be facing a long national crisis.”

Hariri may not “backtrack” on his resignation, said Hamadeh but he may “support or participate in a balanced government formation agreed earlier when President Michel Aoun was elected.”

Hariri stunned the Lebanese with his resignation on Saturday in a televised speech from Saudi Arabia. President Michel Aoun has said that he is awaiting Hariri's return to Lebanon to “inquire about the circumstances of the resignation and decide on the next steps."

In a haltingly delivered address, Hariri accused Iran of meddling in Arab affairs and Iran-backed Hizbullah of holding Lebanon hostage.

Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah speculated on Sunday that Saudi Arabia had forced Hariri to resign amid the deepening Saudi-Iran rivalry.