Jaber meets Lavrov in Moscow, explaining the delicate situation in Lebanon: We look forward to a positive Russian role starting from the Security Council
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, during his meeting with Lebanese Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Youssef Raji, affirmed his country’s support for “Lebanon’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and unity, as well as Russia’s readiness to extend assistance to Lebanon amid the difficult circumstances faced by the Lebanese people due to Israeli aggression.”
For his part, Raji, who held talks with Lavrov in Moscow covering bilateral relations between the two countries and the situation in Lebanon and the region, emphasized “Lebanon’s commitment to fostering the best possible relations with Russia, politically, economically, and culturally, based on shared interests,” and reiterated “Lebanon’s steadfast commitment to its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and the necessity of Israeli withdrawal and an end to aggression.”
Raji explained to Lavrov the delicate situation in Lebanon, citing “Israel’s refusal to withdraw and its continued aggression, alongside Hezbollah’s refusal to hand over its weapons.” He also stressed the state’s determination to complete the exclusive exercise of its authority over all its territory, with the monopoly on weapons and the decision on peace and war resting solely with its legitimate institutions. He underscored that “the decision to monopolize weapons was taken by the Lebanese government in the interest of Lebanon, not in the interest of any other state.”
Raji expressed “Lebanon’s hope for a positive Russian role, drawing on Russia’s position in the Security Council and its standing in the region, in a manner that supports state stability, strengthens its institutions, and bolsters the diplomatic track, without linking the Lebanese issue to any settlements that transcend its national interests.”
The talks continued during a luncheon hosted by Lavrov in honor of his guest, Raji, and covered a number of bilateral topics of mutual interest, particularly in the cultural and educational fields. Raji praised Russia’s decision to increase the number of scholarships allocated to Lebanese students, expressed his wish for Russian tourists to return to Beirut, and finally extended an invitation to Foreign Minister Lavrov to visit Lebanon.
