French leader in Lebanon amid regional power tussle

French President Emmanuel Macron paid a surprise visit to Saudi Arabia on Thursday amid an escalating power tussle between the Kingdom and Iran following the resignation of Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri a few days back.

Saudi Arabia, which accuses Iran of fomenting instability in Lebanon, has ordered its citizens to leave the fragile state immediately as the standoff deepens towards a military confrontation, writes The Guardian.

French prime minister allayed the speculations that Hariri might be under house arrest or temporary detention by Saudi authorities, adding that the former Lebanese PM is free to make his choices, notes Al Jazeera.