Russia assures Lebanon of broader cooperation

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev hosts Lebanese President Michel Sleiman at the Kremlin in a first-ever visit by a Lebanese head of state to Moscow.

Medvedev told his visiting counterpart on Thursday that Russia has supported Lebanon over the last 65 years, and has had good diplomatic ties with Beirut.

He said the talks were conducted in a “very friendly and open atmosphere” and assured him of new impetus to the development between the two nations.

Medvedev referred to the energy sector, investments, tourism, environment and military-technical fields as the areas of cooperation.

“Russia has always supported and will always support the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Lebanon, and we believe in the non-interference of its internal affairs. The problems of a multi-faith society like Lebanon should be resolved through its constitution and current political practice,” he said.

Sleiman, for his part, said that he agrees to improvement of cooperation at the level of “our representation in international bodies, especially considering Lebanon has been selected as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council.”

Both leaders, in a joint statement, also announced intention to coordinate efforts in the Middle East peace process.

The statement quoted by Russian news agencies declares that the Middle East peace agreement should stipulate that Israel must leave all Arabi territories occupied in June 1967 and that an independent Palestinian state has to be created.

During his visit to Moscow, Sleiman also met with Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill.