Afət Ziyadqızı
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held expanded-format talks in Moscow with Lebanese Foreign Minister and Minister of Emigrants Youssef Raggi. Russia’s Foreign Ministry press service released an official statement on the meeting.
Operative Information Center-OMM reports that, in his opening remarks, Lavrov said diplomatic ties between the two countries were based on traditional friendship and mutual respect.
The Russian foreign minister said Moscow was ready to support its Lebanese partners during times of crisis. He noted that nearly one million Lebanese civilians had been seriously affected and faced humanitarian difficulties as a result of the escalating military confrontation in the Middle East.
At a news conference following the consultations, Lavrov said Moscow actively supported Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in discussions and votes at the UN Security Council. He also briefed his Lebanese counterpart on recent military and political developments surrounding Ukraine and Moscow’s official position.
The meeting of the foreign ministers took place at the Russian Foreign Ministry’s Reception House.
Before the talks, the head of Russian diplomacy also held bilateral consultations with Amir Khan Muttaqi, acting foreign minister of Afghanistan. The meeting between the heads of the Russian and Afghan foreign ministries lasted about 40 minutes.
