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Following a nearly three week puzzling absence, Saad Hariri participated in Independence Day celebrations in Beirut, his first official appearance since he suddenly announced his resignation from Saudi Arabia, stunning the country. But in surprise turnaround, Lebanon's Prime Minister Saad Hariri said he had agreed to suspend his surprise decision to resign, at the request of President Michel Aoun, pending talks on the political situation. Hariri cited fear of assassination in his resignation speech, and attacked Iran and its powerful Lebanese ally Hezbollah for sowing strife in the Arab world. (AP Photo)
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Lebanese President Michel Aoun, speaks with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, next to Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri, during a military parade to mark the 74th anniversary of Lebanon's independence from France in downtown Beirut, Lebanon. (AP Photo)
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Women in the Lebanese General Security forces march during a military parade to mark the 74th anniversary of Lebanon's independence from France in downtown Beirut. (AP Photo)
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President Michel Aoun greeted him warmly as he arrived at a military parade, where Hariri took the seat reserved for prime minister. (AP Photo)
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Army special forces participate in a military parade to mark the 74th anniversary of Lebanon's independence from France in downtown Beirut, Lebanon. (AP Photo)
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Hours after returning to the country following a nearly three week puzzling absence, Hariri participated in Independence Day celebrations Wednesday, his first official appearance since he suddenly announced his resignation from Saudi Arabia, stunning the country. (AP Photo)
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Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, greeted by Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri upon their arrival to attend a military parade to mark the 74th anniversary of Lebanon's independence from France in downtown Beirut, Lebanon. (AP Photo)
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Lebanon has been gripped by the political crisis precipitated by Hariri's resignation, including the question of whether the premier was being detained in Saudi Arabia, where he remained for two weeks after stepping down. (AP Photo)
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In this photo Lebanese President Michel Aoun, meets with Prime Minister Saad Hariri, at the Presidential Palace in Baabda, east of Beirut, Lebanon. (AP Photo)
Lebanese army tanks participate in a military parade to mark the 74th anniversary of Lebanon's independence from France, in downtown Beirut, Lebanon. (AP Photo) -
In announcing his resignation, Hariri had said he feared for his life, invoking the 2005 assassination in Beirut of his father, former prime minister Rafik Hariri. (AP Photo)
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Saad al-Hariri also harshly criticised Saudi Arabia's arch-rival Iran, and its Lebanese ally Hezbollah, saying they had taken over Lebanon and destabilised the region. (Reuters Photo)
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