Targeting a series of accusations against Saudi Arabia, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah on Friday (10 November) said the kingdom has "declared war" against them and the whole of Lebanon.
The leader of the Shia Islamist political party based in Lebanon cited the alleged house arrest of Lebanese Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri as the biggest indicator of Saudi Arabia's intentions. He also said that the oil-rich kingdom could incite Israel to attack Lebanon.
Referring to the announcement by Hariri in a televised address from Riyadh about a week ago that he was stepping down from the post, Nasrallah said it was "beyond any doubt" that the Lebanese prime minister was forced to resign by the Saudis.
"All of a sudden, out of nowhere, Saudi Arabia called the prime minister on urgent matter without his aide or advisers, and was forced to tender his resignation, and to read the resignation statement written by them," Nasrallah said in Beirut, accusing Riyadh of "blunt, unprecedented interference", Al Jazeera reported.
Saudi Arabia was attempting to remove Hariri as prime minister in order to impose a new leadership on his political movement, the Hezbollah leader added, according to the BBC.
"We declare that the prime minister of Lebanon has not resigned. Hariri is our political opponent, but he is also our prime minister," he said.
He added: "In short, it is clear that Saudi Arabia and Saudi officials have declared war on Lebanon and on Hezbollah in Lebanon, but I have to say this is a war on Lebanon."
Nasrallah also alleged that Saudi Arabia was prepared to pay "billions" to Israel for a military strike against Lebanon and described the move as the "most dangerous thing".
He said US President Donald Trump must have been aware of Saudi Arabia's alleged plans regarding Hariri's "forced" resignation. The Lebanese president has, meanwhile, said he would not accept the resignation until Hariri returns to the country and explains his reasons for stepping down.
