Saad Hariri's resignation, a Saudi scenario - experts say

Iranian expert in regional affairs, Hassan Hanizadeh says Saudi seeks to divide the Lebanese groups through Saad Hariri resignation scenario and take the country back to the era of conflicts and wars.

Hanizadeh was speaking to the Qods News Agency (Qodsna) when asked about the latest developments in Lebanon following the surprising resignation of the Lebanese prime minister declared from Saudi Arabia.

Hanizadeh said the resignation was made under the Saudi pressure, adding a joint project by Saudi, Israel and the US was in place in a bid to press the axis of anti-occupation and anti-Israeli resistance.

“There are hands behind the scene that seek to drive the resistance from the scene,” he said.

“Saudi seeks to isolate the Lebanese Hezbollah through a smear campaign ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections in the country,” he said.

For his part, expert in regional affairs, Hossein Kanani Moqaddam expressed regret that Saudi feels grudge at Lebanon’s proximity to Iran.

He said the text of Hariri’s resignation shows that the move was made upon the directive of Saudi authorities.

Kanani Moqaddam suggested that Saudi had threatened Hariri that if would fail to resign his father’s fate would wait for him.

He noted that such Saudi’s policies have already failed to prevent Iran from the regional scene.

And, aide to the Iranian foreign minister, Hossein Sheikholeslam said Saad Hariri would rather submit his resignation to the Lebanese president and announce the move through Lebanese media.

He said the abnormal move points to hidden hands behind the scenario.

Also, expert in international affairs, Mossayeb Naimi said Hariri was forced to resign through a foreign country in an illegal and irrational move, against the diplomatic norms.

He said Saudi seeks to divert the public opinion from the crises in its periphery, including in Yemen.

“Saudis seeks to cover up their failures,” he said, adding Saudi authorities are entangled with internal crises as well and that the prospect of the country was in doubt.