Saad Al Hariri returned to Beirut on Tuesday for the first time since he resigned as prime minister in a statement delivered from Saudi Arabia that plunged Lebanon into crisis.

Hariri's sudden resignation on November 4 thrust Lebanon to the forefront of regional tussle. Hariri, cited fear of assassination and meddling by Iran and Hezbollah in the Arab world in his resignation speech. The move caught even his aides off guard, and Lebanese state officials and politicians close to Hariri say Riyadh forced him to quit and held him in Riyadh.

Riyadh and Hariri have denied this.

Lebanese President Michel Aoun, who dispatched envoys to urge foreign states to secure Hariri's return from Saudi Arabia, has refused to accept the resignation until he returns to present it in person.

Hariri drove straight from Beirut airport to read a prayer at the grave of his father, Rafik Al Hariri, whose 2005 assassination forced him into politics.

Asked if had a message for the Lebanese, who have largely united in demanding his return, Hariri said: "Thank you".

Hariri is expected to take part in Lebanese independence day celebrations on Wednesday.

Source: Khaleej Times