RNA - "Al-Hariri resigned as a result of a US decision and its implementation by Saudi Arabia. He was facing a two-way road; resignation or prison. His return to Lebanon is unlikely, and since he is a Saudi citizen, he can't leave the country without the permission of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman," Atwan wrote in the Arabic-language newspaper on Monday.
He raised the possibility that al-Hariri will be tried in Saudi Arabia for financial corruption, and said, "It is unlikely that someone who is active in the construction sector in Saudi Arabia be innocent of corruption as winning the tenders is not possible without paying bribe."
A former Lebanese minister revealed on Sunday that Hariri is under detention in Saudi Arabia.
"I call on the Lebanese government to guarantee Saad Hariri's safe return to the country and I emphasize that he has been detained and he was interrogated after his friend (Khalid) al-Tuwaijri (Chief of the Royal Court of Saudi Arabia under King Abdullah) was arrested," Wiam Wahhab was quoted as saying by Bahrain's Arabic-language al-Wasat newspaper.
The Saudi media reported that the country's security forces have detained a number of princes and former ministers and officials, including al-Tuwaijiri.
Al-Hariri resigned during a trip to Saudi Arabia in a surprise move that plunged the country into uncertainty amid heightened regional tensions.
In a televised address from Riyadh, al-Hariri launched a vicious tirade against Iran and the Lebanese Hezbollah group for what he claimed was their meddling in Arab affairs.
Al-Hariri was appointed prime minister in late 2016 and headed a 30-member national unity cabinet.
Al-Hariri’s resignation on Saturday was expected to sharply raise tensions in the country.
In his speech, he claimed he feared for his life and that the atmosphere in the country is similar to the one that existed before his father, the late prime minister Rafik al-Hariri, was assassinated in 2005.
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