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What Hariri's Resignation Means for Lebanon
Article

What Hariri's Resignation Means for Lebanon

An Escalation From Riyadh


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Editorial Rating

7

Qualities

  • Analytical
  • Overview
  • Background

Recommendation

Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri plunged Lebanon into political uncertainty when he unexpectedly announced his resignation. The fact that he made this announcement in Riyad and read from a script that many suspected was drafted by the Saudis has increased suspicions that Lebanon is being dragged into a larger regional confrontation between the Saudi-led Sunnis and Iran-backed Shiites. Middle East and International security expert Bilal Y. Saab analyzes the regional context and implications of Hariri’s resignation in this Foreign Affairs Snapshot.  

Take-Aways

  • Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri unexpectedly announced his resignation in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, on November 4, 2017.
  • The announcement triggered speculations that Saudi Arabia asked its long-time political protégé to resign as part of the Kingdom’s new and more hard-line anti-Iran strategy.
  • While in office, Hariri maintained a fragile coalition with the Hezbollah-dominated government, a group the Saudis seek to marginalize in Lebanon’s upcoming elections.

About the Author

Bilal Y. Saab is senior fellow and director of the Defense and Security Program at the Middle East Institute.