Al-Monitor | Saeid Jafari: The abrupt resignation of Lebanon�s Prime Minister�Saad Hariri�during a trip to Saudi Arabia earlier this month and the events surrounding his presence in Riyadh�appear to have increased Iran-Saudi tensions and brought to the fore the possibility of a new military confrontation in the region.


The recent developments come just over�one year�after the deal that ended a 2�-year political vacuum in Lebanon, whereby former�army commander Michel Aoun�became president and Hariri prime minister. Yet it seems Lebanon is once again�entering a new crisis, and once again with the seeming�hallmarks of foreign interference.

Hariri�s odd�resignation�on Nov. 4�on foreign soil��particularly that of Saudi Arabia�� has dealt a major shock to Lebanon�s political system. In his resignation speech, Hariri said his decision was due to Iran and Hezbollah�s meddling in Arab affairs and creating instability in Lebanon.

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