Zasypkin Meets Hariri: Russia Continues Endeavors to Help Lebanon Elect President

Russian Ambassador to Lebanon Alexander Zasypkin stated on Monday that Moscow will continue to exert efforts and hold contacts to help Lebanon conclude its stalled presidential elections.

Zaspykin's comments came after a meeting he held with al-Mustaqbal movement chief MP Saad Hariri at the Center House.

“Our meeting today is to maintain continuous communication between Hariri and the Russian leadership. We have discussed issues of joint interest,” said Zaspykin after the meeting.

“I have confirmed on behalf of President Vladimir Putin and Minister Sergei Lavrov their constant quest to develop the dialogue with Hariri to bolster the Lebanese-Russian ties,” he added.

Late in March, Hariri kicked off a visit to Russia where he met with the President and Foreign Minister.

Reports had said that the Russian leader had expressed readiness to support Lebanon on the military and security levels given the confrontation with terrorists.

May 2016 will mark two years of vacuum at Lebanon's top state post when the term of President Michel Suleiman ended in 2014.

Conflicts among the rival camps of the March 8 and March 14 thwarted all attempts to elect a successor.

D.A.

M.T.