The United States and Russia are on a coalition course over the sudden resignation or Lebanon's Prime Minister, Saad Al-Hariri and his alleged detention in Saudi Arabia. While the United States has declined to comment on the status of the former Prime Minister after his resignation, Russia has threatened to drag the issue before the United Nations Security Council if the ambiguity continues.
The State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert told a press briefing on Thursday that Chris Henzel, the US charge d’affaires in Riyadh, met Saad Hariri on Wednesday, but refused to comment on where the meeting took place or to elaborate on Hariri's status.
"[The talks] were sensitive, private, diplomatic conversations. We have seen him. In terms of the conditions of him being held or the conversations between Saudi Arabia and Prime Minister Hariri, I would have to refer you to the government of Saudi Arabia and also to Mr Hariri's office."
Nuert added that since the resignation was an internal affair, the United States would refrain from commenting on it.
Meanwhile, Russia's Ambassador to Lebanon, Alexander Zasypkin has threatened to take action if circumstances surrounding Hariri are not made clear by parties involved. He said Hariri must be allowed to return as the issue concerns the sovereign rights of Lebanon.
France says Hariri is not being held by Saudi authorities.
