Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov discussed the situation in Lebanon, Syria and the situation in the Middle East with Mohammed Raad, leader of the Lebanese Shia movement Hezbollah, in Moscow on Monday.
"During the conversation, which was attended by deputies of the Lebanese parliament from the Hezbollah party, the current situation in Lebanon and neighboring Syria, as well as in the Middle East region as a whole, was discussed," the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
According to the Foreign Ministry, Lavrov reiterated Russia's consistent line in support of Lebanon's sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity. "He stressed the need to solve acute issues of the national agenda on the basis of a broad dialogue with the participation of representatives of all the leading confessional groups of Lebanese society exclusively in the legal field and without foreign interference. At the same time, the task of forming a new government headed by Saad Hariri as soon as possible, capable of ensuring Lebanon's exit from the systemic crisis was emphasized," the ministry added.
"During the exchange of views on the issue of a comprehensive settlement in Syria, the Russian side reaffirmed its commitment to the right of Syrians to determine their own future, as provided by UN Security Council Resolution 2254. In this context, the importance of stepping up international efforts to facilitate the return of Syrian refugees to their homeland, including those in Lebanon, in the interests of reliable stabilization in the region was noted," Smolensk Square noted.
Lavrov stressed Russia's continued commitment to achieving a comprehensive peace in the Middle East in accordance with the existing international legal framework, the diplomatic office continued.
"Some aspects of bilateral Russian-Lebanese multifaceted cooperation were also touched upon, including Moscow's assistance in combating the spread of the coronavirus infection," the Russian Foreign Ministry pointed out.
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Photo: Press Service of the Russian Foreign Ministry / TASS
Based on materials from TASS