YEMEN: Saudi Arabia has only partially lifted a blockade that closed most of Yemen’s air, land, and sea ports this week—and has made an already catastrophic humanitarian crisis unimaginably worse. Streets in the capital, Sanaa, are empty due to fuel shortages, and government workers already have gone 14 months without salaries.

Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri on Thursday accepted an invitation from French President Emmanuel Macron to come to Paris for a respite from the ongoing regional tension created by his surprise resignation nearly two weeks ago. Macron said the Wednesday invite to Hariri and his family was for a few days and not an offer of political exile. Hariri caused shockwaves throughout the region Nov. 4 when he announced his resignation during a trip to Saudi Arabia, where he has remained ever since.

Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri’s resignation during a trip to Saudi Arabia is the latest bombshell in a string of recent events that place Lebanon in the middle of the power play between regional rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran. The events have escalated the tussle between the two major rivals in the region and could leave Lebanon facing possible sanctions or further conflict.

SAUDI ARABIA: At Saudi Arabia’s request, the Arab League will hold an “extraordinary meeting” this week to discuss “violations” by Iran in the region.

Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri, in his first televised interview since he announced his controversial resignation, said Sunday he will return to his country “very soon.” Hariri, who appeared tired and held back tears at one point, denied again that Saudi Arabia is holding him against his will. He said he stepped down to create a “positive shock” and draw attention to the danger of siding with Iran in regional conflicts. Hariri’s resignation, made during a trip to Saudi Arabia on Nov. 4, sparked a political crisis involving Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and Iran.

Lebanon’s Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah on Friday deemed the Lebanese prime minister’s resignation last week unconstitutional, saying Saudi Arabia forced him to step down. Nasrallah said he was certain Saudi Arabia coerced Saad Hariri to resign and prevented him from returning to Lebanon. Hariri on Saturday resigned during a televised statement in Saudi Arabia, citing concerns of assassination attempts against him. Lebanese President Michel Aoun has refused to accept Hariri’s resignation until he returns to the country and explains his reasons.

Saudi Arabia ordered all of its citizens to leave Lebanon on Thursday amid escalating tension between the two nations over Iranian influence. Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri resigned earlier this week while on a trip to Saudi Arabia. Since then, Hariri has not returned to Lebanon, and there are questions about whether he is free to do so. Friends in Hariri’s political party, which has historically aligned with Saudi Arabia, demanded his return Thursday.