Moscow Urges Forces that 'Have Influence in Lebanon' to 'Show Restraint'
Russia on Tuesday voiced concern over Prime Minister Saad Hariri's shock resignation, urging “all foreign forces that have influence on the situations in Lebanon to show restraint and take constructive stances.”
“Moscow is worried over the developments in friendly Lebanon, which are jeopardizing the positive direction that had been developing since late 2016, when the executive authority crisis was overcome as a result of the election of Michel Aoun as president and the formation of a coalition government led by Saad Hariri,” the Russian foreign ministry said.
“We hope that during this worrisome period the Lebanese will be able to agree on a solution that addresses the need to preserve civil peace and stability in Lebanon, and the security of this country and the Middle East region in general,” the ministry added.
Hariri stunned the Lebanese with his resignation on Saturday in a televised speech from Saudi Arabia.
In the haltingly delivered address, he accused Iran of meddling in Arab affairs and Iran-backed Hizbullah of holding Lebanon hostage.
Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah speculated on Sunday that Saudi Arabia had forced Hariri to resign amid the deepening Saudi-Iran rivalry.
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