Bogdanov Concludes Lebanon Visit, Reportedly Urges Hizbullah to Cease Fighting in Syria
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov concluded on Sunday his four-day visit to Lebanon, during which he voiced his concern over the possible spread of the Syrian unrest to Lebanon.
The daily An Nahar reported Sunday that he had called on Hizbullah to withdraw its fighters from Syria out of the concern that the fighting may spread to Lebanon.
Such a development may further complicate the Syrian crisis and place Hizbullah before the danger of a collapse that may lead to complete chaos in Lebanon, circles monitoring the Russian official's talks told the daily.
Bogdanov had held talks on Saturday with Hizbullah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah on the latest developments in Lebanon and the region, particularly Syria.
The Russian official had stated from the airport ahead of his departure on Sunday that his talks with Lebanese figures focused on the latest local and regional developments.
“Our visit helped us develop a vision regarding the future of Lebanese-Russian ties,” he told reporters.
Hizbullah has been recently severely criticized for helping Syrian regime troops in their battles against armed rebels.
Syria's opposition says the Homs town of al-Qusayr has in the past week become the focal point of Syria's spiraling war and that Hizbullah has joined regular and militia fighters loyal to President Bashar Assad to try to crush the insurgency there.
Bogdanov held talks during his Lebanon visit with President Michel Suleiman, Speaker Nabih Berri, caretaker Premier Najib Miqati, Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam, and major political leaders.
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