Lebanon president: 'Nothing justifies Hariri absence, consider him detained'

BEIRUT – Lebanese President Michel Aoun said on Wednesday nothing justified Saad al-Hariri's continued absence from Lebanon and therefore he should be considered detained in Saudi Arabia.

Hariri resigned as Lebanon's prime minister on Nov. 4 in a video broadcast from Saudi Arabia and has yet to return to Lebanon.

Writing on Twitter, Aoun said Hariri's detention represents a breach of human rights and Lebanon cannot wait a long time for his return as the state must continue to operate.