Attempts by some external players to stimulate domestic political processes in Lebanon through the threat of sanctions are counterproductive. This was stated in a commentary by Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova released on Saturday.
"We consider the stable and effective functioning of all branches of power and state institutions of Lebanon as a guarantee of ensuring its national sovereignty and territorial integrity, which Russia traditionally supports," she said. - "We call for the resolution of all acute issues on the domestic political agenda by the Lebanese themselves in a legal field through dialogue with a broad national consensus, without external interference. We believe that attempts by certain external forces to stimulate purely internal political processes by threatening to impose sanctions are counterproductive".
Russia's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman recalled that Saad Hariri, Lebanon's Prime Minister-designate, announced on July 15 that he had resigned from his governmental duties. "Unfortunately, since his candidacy was approved last October, the political forces of Lebanon have failed to reach an agreement on the personal composition of the cabinet of ministers. It is a matter of concern that during this time the difficult socio-economic situation in the country has only worsened," Zakharova added.
The diplomat said that the Russian Federation hopes that "an agreement on the candidacy of a new head of government will be reached as a result of consultations between President of Lebanon Michel Aoun and the country's Parliament".
There is a political vacuum in Lebanon since August 10 last year, after the resignation of the cabinet headed by Hassan Diab against the background of the tragic consequences of the explosion at the seaport of Beirut. Hariri, a new Sunni politician appointed as Prime Minister on October 22, and President Aoun have failed to agree on the composition of the new government. The political crisis is exacerbating the already dire socio-economic situation in the country. The Lebanese pound plunged sharply against the US dollar amid reports of Hariri's resignation.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Creative Commons
Based on materials from TASS