French foreign minister to meet Lebanon's Hariri in Saudi Arabia

PARIS – French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian will meet Lebanon's Saad al-Hariri during a visit to Saudi Arabia, a French diplomatic source said.

Le Drian arrives in Riyadh late on Wednesday and is due to discuss the Lebanon with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and meet Hariri, the source added. The Hariri meeting is scheduled for Thursday, but the timing could still change.

Hariri resigned as Lebanon's prime minister 11 days ago in a video broadcast from Saudi Arabia and has yet to return home. Lebanese President Michel Aoun has refused to accept his premier's resignation and on Wednesday said Hariri was being detained by Saudi authorities.

Saudi Arabia denies holding Hariri against his will.