Former Lebanese Prime Minister and leader of the Sunni al-Mustaqbal party, Saad al-Hariri, announced today (Monday) that he is taking a time-out from political life and will not run in the next election. This, in light of what he described as "the lack of opportunity for any positive opportunity for Lebanon due to the Iranian influence, the international confusion and the national split."
Hariri, 51, whose name has been linked to various scandals, entered politics in 2005 after the assassination of his father, former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri.
In a speech in Beirut, Hariri said he was calling on the al-Mustaqbal party to behave like him and not run in the next parliamentary elections.
Hariri promised that he would not stand for election to the parliament in the future and would not run in the framework of "Al Mustakbal".
However, this is not the first time he has announced his retirement from political life.
Hariri enjoyed Saudi support before relations between the two countries deteriorated during the recent diplomatic crisis.
As mentioned, a video of the Lebanese Minister of Information in which he was heard criticizing Saudi Arabia for the war in Yemen provoked great resentment in Riyadh, leading to the return of ambassadors from the Gulf states and the expulsion of Lebanese ambassadors.
Since then Hezbollah has managed to pour oil into the fire, and in a televised speech Nasrallah attacked Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman and described him as a terrorist.
In his speech, Hariri said that there was no doubt that due to his desire to prevent a civil war, compromises were forced on him and that was the reason for every step he took.
According to him, this was also the reason for the economic damage he suffered and the loss of many of his allies in Lebanon.
At the end of his speech, Hariri said in tears that members of the al-Mustaqbal movement would continue to adhere to his father's project to prevent another civil war in Lebanon.
Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati has responded by saying that this is a sad chapter for the homeland even in person, but he understands the painful circumstances that Hariri is experiencing these days that led him to this decision.
It should be noted that in the event that the Sunni al-Mustaqbal party does not run in the next elections, this may strengthen the Sunni Free Patriotic Party, which is in alliance with Hezbollah.
Such a strengthening would strengthen the power of the pro-Iranian camp in the country.
On the other hand, Hariri may be planning to join a new political platform.
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