Lavrov Meets Bassil, Voices Opposition to Foreign Meddling in Lebanese Affairs

إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية W460

Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil held talks on Wednesday with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov on the latest developments in Lebanon and the region.

The Russian official stressed during the talks his country's support for Lebanon and its “opposition to meddling in its internal affairs.”

Bassil, of the Free Patriotic Movement, and Lavrov met in Geneva on the margins of the 28th United Nations Human Rights Council meeting.

Lavrov also voiced Russia's constant support in backing “Lebanon's sovereignty, unity, and regional safety.”

The foreign ministers also expressed their concern over terrorist threats to Lebanon's stability “through ethnic and religious incitement.”

For his part, Bassil had declared during his speech before the Human Rights Council on Tuesday that “Lebanon is facing unprecedented political, security, economic, and humanitarian challenges, starting with the threat of terrorism.”

“This terrorism is the product of erroneous policies and conflicting interests in the region,” he remarked.

“Lebanon has found itself at the heart of the global war against terror and it has chosen to be a spearhead in it, whereby it is waging a battle against the Islamic State group and its affiliates,” he added.

“It is presenting the prime of its youth at the alter of martyrdom and it is protecting the entire world from this takfiri ebola that is threatening humanitarian values,” Bassil continued.

A delegation of bishops visited FPM chief MP Michel Aoun in Rabieh on Tuesday to discuss with him the conditions of Christians in the Orient.

There are fears among religious minorities in both Syria and Iraq, who have been repeatedly targeted by the Islamic State group.

During the militants' bloody campaign in both countries, where they have declared a self-styled caliphate, minorities, including Christians, have been repeatedly targeted and killed, driven from their homes, had their women enslaved and places of worship destroyed.

The abductions of more than 220 Christian Assyrians by the IS in northeastern Syria last week have added to the existing fears.

IS and al-Qaida-linked al-Nusra Front are entrenched on Lebanon's eastern border region.

The army has waged sporadic clashes with these groups over the past few months in an attempt to thwart their infiltration of the country.

M.T.

G.K.

Comments 16
Thumb EagleDawn 04 March 2015, 12:31

It cannot be a 1:1 scale in this photo. Bassil appears to be half the size of a normal human being!

Default-user-icon + oua nabka + (Guest) 04 March 2015, 12:48

Mr Bassil just ask for sophisticated weapons for our LAF
the kind of weapons the west do not offer to our sodiers

Missing coolmec 04 March 2015, 12:53

He is a shorty..lol

Thumb the_roar 04 March 2015, 13:35

Brilliant comments as usual from the Naharnet loitering team !

Short or tall, just remember who is Lebanon's Foreign affairs minister.

One day you will be calling him President..never forget it!

Default-user-icon jaaar ibn iblees (Guest) 04 March 2015, 13:42

is that beloved zeinib in your avatar?

Thumb the_roar 04 March 2015, 13:49

why are you hoping your Isis friends take over Lebanon also?

you're a twisted evil soul bani.. the pits of the earths.

Default-user-icon + oua nabka + (Guest) 04 March 2015, 13:30

sophisticated weapons for our LAF is all what Lebanon needs Mr Lavrov
god bless democracy and freedom of speech

Default-user-icon jorik (Guest) 04 March 2015, 13:42

Mr the roar, if this imbecile becomes president, then the hell with all maronites who can't find a proper man smog them

Default-user-icon Chantale (Guest) 04 March 2015, 13:51

But where's Caroline, is Caroline with him?

Default-user-icon Je Suis the_roar (Guest) 04 March 2015, 14:14

As a follower of Khomeini I will forgive & pray for those who insult my Lord, Sayyed Hassan Nassrallah.

Thumb the_roar 04 March 2015, 14:43

Naharnet releases the failed M14ers to unleash the (guest) patrol to divert & distort.

distort away Naharnet & failed m14ers...it only proves who & what you are.

Default-user-icon berlin (Guest) 04 March 2015, 14:27

I like his self authored taxpayer financed "Helem Watan" cartoon version of him better, it's more lifelike.

Thumb the_roar 04 March 2015, 14:33

We understand iceman...it can't be easy for you changing in & out of names & thobes all day long.

Thumb justin 04 March 2015, 16:20

Only in Lebanon can a thief be a foreign minister

Thumb the_roar 04 March 2015, 17:41

No Gabby, the "milk" & blankets are special orders reserved for M14ers.

slap slap slap

Thumb nickjames 05 March 2015, 01:04

Wayna Carolineeeeeeeeeeeeee