Zasypkin: Saudi-Iran Dialogue Helpful but Solution to Presidential Deadlock is Lebanese

Russian Ambassador to Lebanon Alexander Zasypkin said that dialogue between Riyadh and Tehran helps the rival parties to agree on a new president but the solution to the political crisis should be made in Lebanon.

In remarks to the Kuwaiti al-Anbaa daily published on Tuesday, Zasypkin said: “The Iranian-Saudi dialogue is a helping factor but the solution (should be) Lebanese.”

“This solution should mature so that there is consensus on the name of the new president,” he added.

Russia does not back any candidate for Lebanon's top Christian post, the diplomat told the newspaper.

But Moscow will not spare any effort to push the Lebanese rivals to elect a new head of state, he said.

The International Support Group for Lebanon, which includes the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council, including Russia, urged on Monday “Lebanon’s leaders to engage intensively to ensure the election of a new president without delay.”

“We underline again that there is no international impediment to this: on the contrary, while the process must remain a purely Lebanese one, Lebanon’s friends within the international community stand ready to offer Lebanon every possible encouragement and support at this time,” said U.N. Special Coordinator for Lebanon Derek Plumbly on behalf of the Group.

G.K.

H.K.