Lebanon

Saad Hariri will remain in his role — despite an address he gave from Riyadh saying he'd step down. The about-face is more fuel for speculation that Saudi Arabia was forcing him to resign.

Hariri had resigned his post while visiting Riyadh amid intrigue over Lebanon's role in the rivalry between Saudi Arabia and Iran for influence in the region.

He has been at the center of concern that he was being detained. He announced from Riyadh on Nov. 4 that he was resigning, and tweeted about his flight to France early Saturday.

Since abruptly resigning in Saudi Arabia, the prime minister has not returned to Lebanon, drawing suspicion he is being held against his will. Now, Hariri's apparently heading to France before Beirut.

Saad Hariri said in a TV interview that he would be back in his country soon. The departure shocked his country with many speculating interference from Saudi Arabia.

The bulletin didn't give a reason, merely citing "situations." But it's been five days since Lebanon's premier announced — from Saudi Arabia — that he was resigning, and he hasn't been home since.

Saad Hariri made the announcement Saturday in a televised address from Saudi Arabia. Hariri's father, a former prime minister, was assassinated in 2005.

President Trump stood beside Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri in the Rose Garden on Tuesday and said the United States is helping by supporting refugees' needs close to home.