Russian Ambassador Hails Dialogue among Rivals, Describes it as 'Necessity'
Russian Ambassador to Lebanon Alexander Zasypkin praised dialogue among the Lebanese parties, considering it a necessity to combat the challenges and risks that the country is passing through.
“Foreign countries support the dialogue, in particular because it is touching on local and regional issues, in the first place the battle against terrorism and extremism,” Zasypkin said in an interview with An Nahar newspaper on Tuesday.
Hizbullah and al-Mustaqbal recently kicked off dialogue at Ain el-Tineh under the sponsorship of Speaker Nabih Berri as representatives of the Lebanese Forces and the Free Patriotic Movement began preparing for a similar dialogue to take place between LF chief Samir Geagea and FPM leader Michel Aoun.
The Russian diplomat considered the presidential deadlock is linked to all sides in Lebanon, highlighting the importance of activating communication between Christians.
“We are only concerned with the political program of any president... Who should be a guarantee to achieve goals, including stability and security,” Zasypkin.
He noted that his country is only interested in “the adequate presidential character.”
The rivalry between Aoun and Geagea has left the Baabda Palace vacant. Lebanon has been without a head of state since President Michel Suleiman's six-year term ended in May.
Asked about a Russian-Lebanese arms deal, Zasypkin said that “negotiations are ongoing... We have reached some tangible results.”
Media reports had said that Lebanon is seeking to buy Russian weapons from a $1 billion Saudi grant to Lebanon.
The grant was announced by al-Mustaqbal movement leader ex-PM Saad Hariri.
On Hizbullah's intervention in the Syrian conflict, the Russian ambassador said: “As long as there are fighters from several countries heading to Damascus to fight against the regime... The party is engaged in the fight to aid the legitimate regime.”
“The U.S.-led coalition (against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant – ISIL) refuses to coordinate with the Syrian regime... Doesn't the regime have the right to cooperate with others?” Zasypkin wondered.
Hizbullah has dispatched fighters to battle alongside the Syrian regime against rebels seeking the overthrow of President Bashar Assad.
The conflict, pitting a Sunni-dominated rebel movement against Assad, has raised sectarian tensions in Lebanon and Lebanese Sunni fighters have also been killed while fighting alongside Syrian rebels.
“It is important that we focus on combating terrorism and extremism and not ignite sedition,” Zasypkin concluded.
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