Hizballah brands Hariri's return to Lebanon as 'promising'

Saad Hariri's return to the country and "positive remarks" are "promising," and sends a signal that matters "can return to normal" said Lebanon's Hizballah bloc in parliament.

The comments Thursday were the first by the group since the Lebanese Prime Minister returned to Lebanon after nearly a three-week absence.

Hassan Fadallah, a Hizballah lawmaker, said Hariri's statements can be built on to find "appropriate" solutions.

In his resignation statement, Hariri said he was protesting Hizballah meddling in Arab affairs.

Hariri's resignation was widely viewed as being forced by Saudi Arabia, Hariri's backer, bringing its feud with the Iran backed Hizballah to the tiny country.

Hariri said on Wednesday he had accepted a request by the president to suspend the resignation he announced earlier this month pending consultations.

"I discussed my resignation with the president of the republic who asked me to wait before submitting it... and allow for more consultations," Hariri told reporters after meeting President Michel Aoun. "I agreed to this request."

Hours after returning to the country following a nearly three week absence, Hariri participated in Lebanon's Independence Day celebrations on Wednesday, his first official appearance since the sudden resignation announcement that stunned the country.

Hariri's shock resignation announcement in Saudi Arabia on November 4 was not accepted by President Michel Aoun, who said he wanted to hear from Hariri in person first.