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First image: AP Photo/Christophe Ena Second image: Creative Commons
World News

Prayer plea amid Lebanon political turmoil

Embrace the Middle East, a Christian charity, has asked for believers intercede for the nation, amid new uncertainty sparked by Saad Hariri's (pictured below) announcement he was quitting as prime minister,.

Jamie Eyre from Embrace told Premier: "I think there is hope the situation will be resolved but I think we need to pray that the situation remains stable".

AP Photo/Christophe Ena

Mr Hariri says he will return to Lebanon (Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, is pictured below) in the coming days and confirm his decision, despite President Michel Aoun saying he refused to accept the resignation.

The prime minister, who made the surprise announcement during a televised address in Saudi Arabia, denied he had been held in the capital, Riyadh, against his will.

The decision ignited speculation Mr Hariri was forced to leave his post as part of a regional struggle for power - principally between Saudi Arabia and Iran.

Creative Commons

In the TV speech, he accused accused both Iran and its ally in Lebanon, Hezbollah, of trying to destabilise his country and the wider region.

Jamie Eyre added: "If it is true that Saudi Arabia was seeking to influence things, people fear that more they would do more and start to interfere with the economy.

"There are many Lebanese people living in Saudi and the Gulf; about $4.5 billion gets back in remittances back to Lebanon.

"It's been really interesting speaking to Lebanese partners and friends at Embrace; the resignation has brought the external interference of Lebanon's affairs into the open.

Click here to listen to Premier's John Pantry and Rosie Wright speaking with Jamie Eyre at Embrace the Middle East:

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