Top Lebanese priest heads to Saudi Arabia amid crisis

A top Lebanese Christian leader will head to Saudi Arabia on Monday where he is expected to meet with Lebanon’s prime minister, who resigned earlier this month in a surprise televised address from the kingdom.

Cardinal Bechara el-Rai had planned his visit before Saad Hariri announced his resignation in Riyadh on Nov. 4. Hariri’s shock resignation in a pre-recorded statement broadcast from Riyadh plunged Lebanon into crisis and led to speculation he was being held against his will.

Cardinal El-Rai heads the Maronite sect, Lebanon’s biggest Christian community and the Middle East’s largest Catholic church, which enjoys wide influence in the country. He is to



depart from Beirut on Monday afternoon for the two-day trip.

The comments came in Mr. Hariri’s first TV interview since announcing his resignation. He denied he was being held against his will in the kingdom.

On Sunday he acknowledged his resignation was unconventional, adding that he was ready to return to Lebanon to formally submit it and seek a settlement with Hezbollah.

Lebanese President Michel Aoun welcomed Mr. Hariri’s statements and said he hoped Mr. Hariri would return to Lebanon soon. Once he returns, Mr. Aoun tweeted, “we will listen to him about all circumstances, topics and concerns that need treatment.”