Contrary to all speculations, Lebanon’s Prime Minister Saad Hariri announced on Wednesday that he has decided to put his resignation on hold in response to President Michel Aoun’s request and to allow for more consultations concerning its reasons and political motives. After attending the Independence Day parade in Beirut, Hariri held two meetings, the first with Aoun and Speaker Nabih Berri, and the second only with the President. Hariri then addressed large crowds and officials who came on Wednesday to the “Center House” to congratulate him on his safe return and to confirm their support of his national policy. “We have nothing more precious than our country, and our principle and slogan will always be “Lebanon first, Lebanon first, Lebanon first,” Hariri told the crowd, saying “together we will defend our country, its freedom, Arabism and stability.” "I will stay with you and we will continue together to be a front line of defense for Lebanon," he added. In the evening, Hariri visited Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdellatif Derian at Dar al-Fatwa and discussed with him the situation and the latest developments.