Lebanon’s runaway prime minister will leave Saudi Arabia for France in the coming days, it was reported on Thursday, deepening the mystery of his future after his surprise resignation.

Emmanuel Macron, French President, invited Saad Hariri and his family to France, but said he was not offering political exile.

The premier, who has not returned to Lebanon since announcing his resignation in a televised statement from Riyadh two weeks ago, will reportedly travel to Paris in the next two days before travelling on to the Lebanese capital Beirut.

Michel Aoun, Lebanon's President, had said he would refuse to accept the resignation until Mr Hariri tendered it in person, accusing Saudi Arabia of coercing him into the decision and then detaining him against his will.