Mos News
Sunday, November 26, 2006

Lebanese President Emile Lahoud on Friday called on Russia to play more effective role in reviving the Middle East peace process and securing the implementation of all relevant UN resolutions, Xinhua news agency reports.

Lahoud made the call in a statement after he met with visiting Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Sultanov, local media reported.

While praising Russia for its stance on the Middle East issue, especially on Lebanon, Lahoud said in the statement that Moscow did not take sides with one party in Lebanon and was keeping equal distance from everybody.

Meanwhile, the Lebanese president praised Russia for its contribution to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
Russia has sent a logistics contingent to the UNIFIL and promised to rebuild some of the bridges in southern Lebanon that were destroyed by Israel during the 34-day war with Hezbollah from July 12 to August 14.

Sultanov, for his part, said Russia is concerned about tragic events in Lebanon, such as the recent killing of Industry Minister Pierre Gemayel and hopes that Lebanese parties would solve their problems and consolidate national reconciliation.

We support dialogue among Lebanese parties and “do everything for Lebanon through our contacts with our partners in the region,” he stressed.