[3] Saad Hariri, before entering politics, served as the Chairman of Oger Telecom, which operates in several countries, including Turkey and Saudi Arabia.
During his second term as prime minister, Mikati formed a government with the support of Hezbollah, a political and militant group in Lebanon that is backed by Iran.
The economy, which had avoided much of the tumult of the global financial crisis of 2007–08, was now strained by a devastated Syrian market and the massive influx of refugees into Lebanon.
When an abandoned store of ammonium nitrate in Beirut resulted in a deadly and destructive mushroom cloud explosion in August 2020, the government resigned.
After nearly a year of failed attempts to form a new government, Mikati was appointed prime minister as a compromise candidate in July 2021, and his cabinet was approved by parliament in September.
However, Saudi Oger has faced financial difficulties and is no longer operational, while M1 Group continues to be a major player in the telecom industry in Lebanon and the region.
However, the family's ties to Saudi Arabia have also been criticized for their role in exacerbating sectarian tensions and political instability in Lebanon and the region.
In particular, Saad Hariri's close relationship with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had raised concerns about his independence and credibility as a political leader.