Hezbollah Embraces Lebanese PM Hariri's Return

The Lebanese Shi'ite resistance group Hezbollah has welcomed sprightly political developments in Lebanon, embracing Prime Minister Saad Hariri's return to the country and his about-face decision on resigning from his post.

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The parliamentary group of the movement, the Loyalty to the Resistance Bloc, released a statement Thursday voicing "great satisfaction" at the news, pinning hopes that Hariri's move will signal a return to normalcy in the country.

The recent developments have been "the result of the adherence of the Lebanese to their unity, sovereignty, independence and national dignity" in tandem with "their rejection of any foreign dictates," the bloc affirmed.

It further hailed the "outstanding management of President Michel Aoun," who had refused to accept Hariri’s resignation when it was announced in a broadcast from Saudi Arabia. The president said he believed the prime minister was being detained in the kingdom against his will, a claim Hariri later denied.

Hariri returned to Lebanon on Wednesday, accepting Aoun's request to suspend his resignation. In his initial resignation speech, Hariri had cited fear of assassination and attacked Iran along with Hezbollah for "sowing strife" in the Arab world.

However, his announcement Wednesday steered away from these proclamations. Instead, Hariri said all Lebanese must commit to keeping the country out of regional conflicts: "The problems around us are important, but Lebanon is more important."

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Saudi-Iranian relations have reached new lows amid mutual charges that the two states support opposing sides in the conflicts in Yemen, Palestine, Syria and Iraq.

In addition, Hezbollah's recent string of military victories against the Islamic State group has caused anxiety in Riyadh, where resentment seethed as they watched their long-time ally Hariri form a coalition government with the Sh'ite resistance group.