Hariri Calls Aoun, Berri, Deryan from France

Prime Minister Saad Hariri, who has not returned to Beirut since his surprise resignation two weeks ago, made several phone calls with senior Lebanese officials after his arrival in France on Saturday.

Hariri telephoned President Michel Aoun, Speaker Nabih Berri and the Grand Mufti of the Republic Abdul Latif Deryan, where talks highlighted the latest developments, the premier's media office said in a statement.

The PM has reportedly told Aoun and Berri that he will be back in Lebanon to take part in the Independence Day celebrations on Wednesday.

Hariri has also received telephone calls from several officials including Progressive Socialist Party Leader MP Walid Jumblat and Marada Movement leader Suleiman Franjieh.

Lebanon will mark Independence Day on Wednesday and there have been concerns about whether Hariri will attend the annual celebrations. The ceremony is usually headed by the president, prime minister and parliament speaker.

It is the first official comment on when Hariri is likely to be back in Beirut since his Nov. 4 resignation through a broadcast on a Saudi-owned TV station from Saudi Arabia.

NNA quoted a presidential statement saying that Hariri informed the president that he arrived in Paris with his wife earlier Saturday.