PRESS RELEASE

Sergey Lavrov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, received on February 27 the Chairman of the Lebanon Progressive Socialist Party, one of the parliamentary majority leaders, Walid Jumblatt, as part of Russia's line on maintaining contacts with representatives of a broad spectrum of Lebanese politicians.

During the conversation the main attention was paid to the developments in the situation within Lebanon, primarily in the context of the implementation of the provisions of the well-known inter-Lebanese agreement reached in Doha in May 2008.

The Russian side reiterated support for the sovereignty, political independence, territorial integrity and unity of Lebanon, stressing the importance of continuing by national political forces the policy of dealing with existing internal problems on the basis of dialogue with regard for the interests of all Lebanese. Of special significance in this context is the preparation and holding of parliamentary elections in June this year in a calm and transparent atmosphere so as to ensure a further crisis-free democratic evolution of the country and the stable functioning of its state institutions. The Lebanese representative was informed of the efforts being undertaken by Russia toward normalizing the situation in the Middle East with a view to the earliest possible resumption of the peace process and advancement towards a just and comprehensive settlement in the region, including on the Syrian and Lebanese tracks.

Walid Jumblatt expressed gratitude for Russia's balanced line in Lebanese and Middle Eastern affairs, and spoke for strengthening and developing bilateral ties between Lebanon and Russia in the most diverse fields.

February 27, 2009