(AFP) -- "Mr Hariri left Riyadh airport on his private jet with his wife and is headed for Le Bourget airport", north-east of Paris, announced Future TV around 1:20 am (2320 GMT).

A source close to Hariri confirmed the departure of the former prime minister to AFP, adding that the flight would take six and a half hours.

Earlier Hariri had tweeted he was on his way to the airport in the Saudi capital, refuting the suggestion he had been not allowed to leave the country.

Lebanese President Michel Aoun had accused Saudi authorities of "detaining" Hariri and refused to accept his resignation from abroad.

Macron will meet Hariri at noon (1100 GMT) on Saturday, the French leader's office said Friday.

(Photo: AFP)