Lebanese premier Hariri leaves Paris for Cairo

By Hajer M'tiri

PARIS (AA)- After a three-day visit to France, Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri, who abruptly announced his resignation earlier this month from Saudi Arabia, has left Paris on Tuesday for Cairo, according to French media reports.

Hariri is expected to meet the Egyptian leader Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to talk about the political crisis caused by his surprise resignation, French radio Europe1 reported.

Lebanon has remained in the throes of an unprecedented political crisis since Hariri announced his resignation on Nov. 4 during a televised address from Saudi Arabia, accusing Iran and its Lebanese ally Hezbollah of sowing “sedition” in the region and “meddling” in Arab affairs. He also mentioned an alleged plot to assassinate him.

The Lebanese president has yet to accept Hariri's resignation, who is expected in Beirut on Wednesday for the celebration of National Day.

Saudi Arabia, Hariri’s long-time political patron, is Iran’s arch-foe in the region. Riyadh supports Syria’s armed opposition, while Iran and Hezbollah both support Syria’s Bashar al-Assad regime.