Lebanese PM Saad Hariri back in Beirut after shock resignation Published duration 22 November 2017

media caption Lebanese President Michel Aoun greets returning Prime Minister Saad Hariri

Lebanese PM Saad Hariri has arrived back in Beirut for the first time since announcing his shock resignation in Saudi Arabia more than two weeks ago.

Mr Hariri was greeted at Beirut airport by members of the security forces as he disembarked from his plane.

He caused a political crisis and stunned many in his country when he quit during a visit to Riyadh.

Mr Hariri denied speculation that Saudi Arabia had forced him to depart as part of a regional power struggle with Iran.

Lebanese President Michel Aoun has refused to accept his resignation until he presents it in person. The pair are due to meet later on Wednesday.

image copyright AFP image caption Soon after landing in Lebanon Mr Hariri prayed at the grave of his father, the former PM Rafik al-Hariri, who was assassinated in 2005

image copyright AFP image caption News of Mr Hariri's return was celebrated by his supporters in Beirut

Questions abound

Analysis by the BBC's Martin Patience in Beirut

Shortly after landing in Beirut airport, Mr Hariri was asked if he had a message for the Lebanese people. He responded by saying, "thank you".

But the prime minister has a lot of explaining to do - this is nation waiting for answers. Why did he resign in Saudi Arabia? And is he actually going to follow through and step down?

Mr Hariri led a national unity government, which included the Hezbollah movement. It's backed by Iran and has a powerful armed wing - many say the group effectively runs Lebanon.

Saudi Arabia - like the West - labels it a terrorist organisation and appeared with this move to be seeking a confrontation. But other than tough rhetoric that's yet to happen on the ground. Many argue that Saudi Arabia has over-reached and following international pressure is now looking for a face saving solution to resolve this crisis.

On Saturday, Mr Hariri flew to Paris where he met French President Emmanuel Macron, who has been trying to broker a way out of the stalemate.

While in France, Mr Hariri vowed to return to Lebanon to take part in independence celebrations on Wednesday, adding: "It is there that I will make known my position... after meeting President Aoun."

After landing at Beirut airport, he read a prayer at the grave of his father, Rafik al-Hariri, who was assassinated in 2005.

Mr Hariri abruptly announced he was resigning during a trip to Saudi Arabia on 4 November.

image copyright Reuters image caption Mr Hariri held talks with President Macron in Paris

In a televised statement, he said he feared assassination.

He also accused Iran of sowing "discord, devastation and destruction" in the region and alleged that the Hezbollah group was destabilising the nation.

President Aoun accused Saudi Arabia of holding Mr Hariri against his will but both the Saudis and Mr Hariri denied this.