Russia supports the actions of Lebanon's new government to stabilize the situation in the country, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Monday, opening talks with Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib.
"We have long-standing friendly relations with Lebanon, with the Lebanese people. We would like today's visit to allow us to hear your assessments of what is happening in the country," he said. - "We support efforts to normalize the situation, which for a long time has been quite crisis-ridden. And we support, as I said, the actions of the new government. Its formation was in itself an important step towards stabilization".
Lavrov also congratulated his colleague on Lebanon's Independence Day, which is celebrated on November 22. The Minister recalled that Russia was one of the first countries to recognize the independence of the Lebanese Republic and establish diplomatic relations with it. "Your visit coincides with another significant date - you turned 80 yesterday. I would like to heartily congratulate you on this," he added.
The Minister also stressed that he intends to discuss in detail with his Lebanese counterpart the state of bilateral relations between Moscow and Beirut. "We are interested in progressive development. And I am sure that the positive results, which we expect to be achieved in this way, will also help the situation in the country," he pointed out.
According to Lavrov, regional issues and the international situation, in general, will be another important element of the negotiating agenda. "Your assessments on how the situation in your region is developing will be important to us. And what the international community could do additionally to solve the numerous problems accumulated here," he continued.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Russian Foreign Ministry
Based on materials from TASS