Saudi FM says Hariri free to leave ‘when he pleases’

Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir has denied reports that the Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri is being held in the capital Riyadh against his will.

Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir has denied reports that the Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri is being held in the capital Riyadh against his will.

Al-Jubeir insists Hariri is free to leave the kingdom “when he pleases” and reiterated calls for Hezbollah and Iran to end their destabilising activities in the region.

Earlier on Thursday, Hariri met with the French foreign minister as part of efforts to normalise the political situation in Lebanon and has accepted an offer to visit France in the coming days.

Al Jazeera’s Zeina Khodr reports from Beirut.