BEIRUT: Hassan Nasrallah, the head of Hezbollah, said on Sunday the resignation of Saad Hariri had been “imposed” by Saudi Arabia.

“It is clear that the resignation was a Saudi decision that was imposed on Prime Minister Hariri. It was not his intention, not his wish and not his decision” to quit, Nasrallah said in a televised address.

Earlier, Hariri cited the “grip” of Hezbollah ally Iran on the country, and also said he feared for his life.

“We did not seek this resignation,” said Nasrallah, whose powerful movement has participated in Hariri’s government for almost a year.

He did not directly address the accusations levelled by what he called Hariri’s “very hard” speech, saying only that these were “a matter for Saudi Arabia”.

Nasrallah questioned the timing of Hariri’s announcement at a time when “things are proceeding normally... in the heart of government” in Lebanon.

The Hezbollah leader also questioned why Hariri gave his resignation speech from Saudi Arabia.

“Is he at home? Will they let him return? These are legitimate concerns,” he said, referring to a purge of princes, ministers and businessmen in Saudi Arabia in an anti-corruption operation.

Published in Dawn, November 6th, 2017