Russia concerned over terrorists’ attempts to destabilize Lebanon — Lavrov

Read also

Moscow ready to provide necessary assistance to Lebanon — FM

MOSCOW, February 12. /TASS/. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Lebanon’s Prime Minister Tammam Salam discussed the refugees issue and political situation in Lebanon on the sidelines of the Munich security conference on Friday, Russia’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement after the meeting.

"During the talks, an exchange of views on the development of the situation in Lebanon and the Middle East in general was held," the ministry said. "The Russian side confirmed the consistent line towards supporting sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Lebanon."

Lavrov stressed that the pressing issues of national agenda in Lebanon need to be solved in the framework of a dialogue between all the leading political forces of the country based on mutual consent and without foreign interference, according to the ministry.

"The sides voiced general concerns over the continuing attempts of international terrorists and extremists seeking to strengthen their positions in the Middle East region to destabilize Lebanon through escalating violence and fueling interreligious contradictions," it said.

The sides also discussed the situation with Syrian refugees in Lebanon. They share opinion that the solution to humanitarian problems provoked by instability in Syria may be reached only through an all-encompassing and long-term settlement of the Syrian conflict.

"Russia and Lebanon are set to further cooperate in a constructive way in the format of the International Syria Support Group," the ministry said.