Russian President's Special Representative for the Middle East and African countries and Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov in a telephone conversation with Najib Mikati, the appointed chairman of the Lebanese Council of Ministers, expressed wishes for the speedy implementation of the task of forming a government of the republic and discussed with him the deepening of bilateral political dialogue.
"The Russian side welcomed the decision taken by Lebanese President Michel Aoun after consultations with the leaders of the parliamentary factions to appoint Najib Mikati as Prime Minister and expressed its wishes for the speedy realization of the task of forming a capable government supported by the main Lebanese political and confessional forces," the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
The Foreign Ministry pointed out that the sides discussed some topical questions of further strengthening of the traditionally friendly Russian-Lebanese relations, "including deepening of the political dialogue and development of mutually beneficial cooperation, including in the interests of overcoming acute socio-economic problems that recently have arisen before the Lebanese society".
The conversation took place by preliminary agreement.
On Monday, Lebanon's President appointed a deputy from the northern city of Tripoli, Mikati, as Prime Minister and tasked him with forming a new government. Following the head of state's consultations with parliamentary factions at Baabda Palace, Mikati's candidacy won the support of 72 of the 115 members of the legislature. Mikati, 65, a politician and businessman, has twice headed Lebanon's government: during a period of intense political confrontation in 2005 following the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and at the height of the crisis in neighboring Syria from 2011 to 2014.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Based on materials from TASS