Two weeks after resigning, Lebanon’s Prime Minister Saad Hariri is back in Beirut and planning to get on with the job.

Mr Hariri, who tendered his surprise resignation from Saudi Arabia earlier this month, broke the news to cheering supporters outside his home today.

“I'm staying with you... we're continuing together, to be the first line of defence for Lebanon and its stability,” said Mr Hariri, looking buoyed and combative.

He arrived back home in Lebanon after spending around two weeks in Saudi Arabia in yet to be clarified circumstances and making stops in France, Egypt and Cyprus on his way back.

Hours after his return he appeared at a military parade to mark the country’s independence day. He arrived amid applause and tight security.

The country was plunged into political crisis after the shock televised resignation. Mr Hariri said he was protesting at meddling in Arab affairs by Iran and its Lebanese ally, Hezbollah, which forms part of the coalition government.

His resignation sparked speculation that he was forced to do it by his Saudi backers, who are feuding with Iran for influence in the region.

But President Michel Aoun had said that he would not accept the resignation until hearing from the prime minister personally. It was at a meeting between the two men today that Mr Hariri reversed his position.

He told reporters that he is putting his resignation on hold following a request from the president to reconsider.