“I would like the best relationship with Iran”, Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri told Davos attendees on Wednesday.

Mr. Hariri made the remarks on Wednesday during a panel hosted by CNBC at the World Economic Forum.

“Iran is a country that we need to deal with. Each nation must understand how it wants to deal with Iran,” Hariri told the audience.

“I as a prime minister I would like the best relationship with Iran, but I would like it to be state to state,” Hariri continued. “Not for somebody to invest in Lebanon without telling me on this issue, like Hezbollah or others.”

“Iran presents a challenge in the region maybe, but dialogue also is a part of resolving this issue.”

This escalating conflict of regional interests took center stage in November of 2017 when Hariri announced his resignation from Riyadh, a move many believe was forced by the Saudi Kingdom. The alleged Saudi measures were viewed as a response to a political compromise in which Hariri took up leadership in exchange for allowing Hezbollah military autonomy.

On November 21, Hariri returned to Lebanon and rescinded his resignation, returning to a country far more united in support for their prime minister than ever before.