LEBANESE AMBASSADOR TO RUSSIA DISCUSSES WITH BOGDANOV REGIONAL DEVELOPMENTS, SOUTH LEBANON SITUATION

Lebanon's Ambassador to Russia, Dean of the Arab Diplomatic Corps, Shawqi Bou Nassar, met today with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s envoy to the Middle East and Africa, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov, at the Russian Foreign Ministry’s headquarters. The one and a half hour meeting tackled the developments in the region, the situation on the Lebanese-Israeli border, and the risks of any outbreak of a wide-scale war in the region that may threaten regional and international stability and peace. The visit came within the framework of ongoing communication and consultation between the Russian and Lebanese sides to ward off the dangers of a widespread war in the Middle East region that could cause great destruction in many of its countries, including Lebanon. It came also in parallel with the visit of the special envoy of the Russian Foreign Minister to the Middle East, Ambassador Vladimir Safronkov, which involved several countries, including Lebanon, where he met with a number of political and mil itary officials, in a clear indication of Russia’s interest in Lebanon’s stability, security, and territorial integrity. A statement by Ambassador Bou Nassar indicated that the Russian side renewed during the meeting Moscow’s keenness on Lebanon’s stability, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. Bogdanov assured Bou Nassar of continued Russian efforts with all concerned and influential countries and parties to prevent the situation from deteriorating and turning into a broad regional war that would not be in the interest of any party. The Russian side stressed the need for restraint and not to be drawn into more violence and escalation. Talks during the encounter also touched on the issue of celebrating the 18th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Lebanon and Russia (then the Soviet Union), which was established in August 1944, whereby both sides affirmed the importance of strengthening and developing bilateral relations at all levels. Source: National News Agency - Lebanon