Lebanon’s Prime Minister (PM) Saad al-Hariri has resigned, citing alleged threats to his life as behind the decision.

Al-Hariri had been PM since December 2016, and had previously held the position from 2009-2011. Al-Hariri likened the current political environment to when his father Rafik al-Hariri was assassinated in 2005 when he was Lebanon’s PM.

"We are living in a climate similar to the atmosphere that prevailed before the assassination of martyr Rafik al-Hariri," said Saad al-Hariri on 4 November during a live broadcast from Riyadh, in which he publicly announced his resignation. "I have sensed what is being plotted covertly to target my life," he added.

In his resignation speech, Al-Hariri accused Iran of sowing “fear and destruction” in several countries, including Lebanon through its local Shia ally Hezbollah. Al-Hariri said that Hezbollah was “directing weapons” at Yemenis, Lebanese and Syrians. His father’s 2005 assassination has been widely blamed on the Iran-backed Hezbollah.

Iran has responded to the resignation of Lebanon’s PM by accusing the US and Saudi Arabia of being behind the move.

"Hariri's resignation was done with planning by [US President] Donald Trump and Mohammed bin Salman, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia," said Hussein Sheikh al-Islam, adviser to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Kahmenei.

Bahram Qasemi, spokesman for Iran’s foreign ministry, said that Al-Hariri had repeatedly made “unrealistic and unfounded accusations,” and had aligned himself with “those who want ill for the region,” which he said included Saudi Arabia, US and Israel.