Lebanon's Christian Maronite Patriarch, visiting Saudi Arabia in an historic visit to the kingdom, expressed support on Tuesday for the reasons behind Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri's resignation.

Patriarch Bechara Al Rai met Hariri as well as the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia, and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as part of a trip that was planned well before the Lebanese political crisis brought on by Hariri's resignation. "Hariri is returning as fast as possible and I support the reasons for his resignation," Rai was quoted as saying by Saudi-owned Al Arabiya television.

Hariri said he was fine and would return to Lebanon in the next two days. On Twitter, he urged Lebanese to remain calm and said his family would stay in Saudi Arabia, calling it "their country". -

Source: Khaleej Times