Saudi Arabia 'declared war on Lebanon', says Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah

Days after Lebanese PM Saad al-Hariri announced his sudden resignation in the Saudi capital, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah has accused Saudi Arabia of declaring war on his country.

Hassan Nasrallah claimed that Saudi Arabia was holding Saad al-Hariri against his will and accused the country of inciting Israel against Lebanon.

In a televised speech, Nasrallah said, “In short, it is clear that Saudi Arabia and Saudi officials have declared war on Lebanon and on Hezbollah in Lebanon, but I have to say this is a war on Lebanon.

Hezbollah – a powerful Islamist political party and militant group based in Lebanon – is an ally of Iran which has been accusing Saudi Arabia of creating tensions in Lebanon.

Lebanese PM Saad al-Hariri on Saturday announced his resignation in a TV broadcast from Riyadh and cited “unspecified threat” to his life, a reason behind his sudden move. Hariri had also attacked Iran and Hezbollah.

However, Lebanese President Michel Aoun has not accepted his resignation and demanded his return. Aoun also feared that Hariri is being held under house arrest by Saudi Arabia and forced to do their bidding.