Saad al-Hariri, who announced on November 4 from Saudi Arabia that he was quitting as Lebanon's prime minister, suggested today he could rescind his resignation.

Speaking from Riyadh in an interview with Future TV, a station affiliated with his political party, Hariri said he planned to return to Lebanon to confirm his resignation in accordance with the constitution. But he also said that if he rescinds his decision to quit, the Hezbollah movement must respect Lebanon's policy of staying out of regional conflicts.

Lebanon's president yesterday called on Saudi Arabia to clarify why Mr al-Hariri could not return home, a week after he stunned his country by resigning while in the kingdom. 

A senior official in Beirut said Aoun told foreign ambassadors that Hariri was  "kidnapped".

Iran and its Lebanese ally, Hezbollah, also accuse Saudi Arabia of holding Hariri hostage.

The militant group claims the kingdom has effectively declared war on Lebanon.

Hariri said he feared assassination and accused Iran and Hezbollah of sowing strife in the Arab world.

Riyadh is saying Hariri is free to leave, adding he resigned because Hezbollah was calling the shots in his government.

Tiny Lebanon appears caught in a power struggle between its Islamic neighbors - Sunni Saudi Arabia and Shi'ite Iran

The same rivalry has brought upheaval to Syria, Iraq, Yemen, and Bahrain.

The US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is warning other countries against using Lebanon for proxy conflicts.

For his part, Hariri has remained tight-lipped since quitting, with mounting speculation he and his vast business empire are caught up in the Saudi crown prince's ongoing anti-corruption crackdown.

That's led to dozens of royals, top officials and businessmen being detained in Riyadh; their assets in danger of confiscation.