Foreign Minister Reviews Negotiation Path with Israel with Russian Foreign Affairs Committee Chair

Foreign Minister and Expatriates Affairs Minister Youssef Raji reviewed developments in Lebanon, Lebanese-Russian relations, and ways to activate them, in talks with Andrei Ivanovich Denisov, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Federation Council of the Russian Federation, in the Russian capital, Moscow.

Minister Raji conveyed greetings from Speaker of the Parliament Nabih Berri and MP Fadi Abboud, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, to the Chairman of the Committee and the Federation Council, reiterating Lebanon’s aspiration for a positive role for Russia, particularly in helping to secure Lebanon’s sovereignty and stability.

Raji outlined the path of direct negotiations with Israel, emphasizing that Lebanon relies on a framework agreement to achieve a full Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territories, the release of prisoners, an end to attacks, and the resolution of disputed border points. He reiterated the government’s decisions to monopolize weapons and stressed the commitment to not allowing any armed organization parallel to the Lebanese Army.

For his part, Denisov stressed his country’s solidarity with Lebanon, condemned the continuous Israeli attacks, and maintained that dialogue remains the only solution, as all other alternative solutions have been tried. He expressed hope that Lebanese, across all their components, would recognize the necessity of avoiding any internal confrontation, affirming that stability in Lebanon is a fundamental prerequisite for regional stability.

Both sides agreed on the importance of activating bilateral relations, particularly at the parliamentary level. Denisov requested the reactivation of communication within the Lebanese-Russian Parliamentary Friendship Committee, to which Raji pledged to convey the request to President Nabih Berri.