Bogdanov, Lebanese President Stress Need to Find Political Solutions to Crisis in the Region
BEIRUT, (ST)- Mikhail Bogdanov, the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister and President Michel Aoun of Lebanon on Tuesday in Amman discussed ways to find political solutions to crises in the region in addition to bilateral ties.
The meeting was held at Aoun’s residence at the Marriott Dead Sea Resort in Amman where the 28th Arab League summit is due to kick off on Wednesday.
“The meeting dealt with political developments in the region, including the crisis in Syria and the Palestinian cause”, Bogdanov told reporters, noting the assisting role that can be played by Russia “to help Lebanese and other Arab friends find suitable solutions to the crises hitting the region’s countries, particularly Syria, Iraq, Libya, Yemen and Palestine, in the light of international legitimacy principles.”
“We talked about the distinguished relationship between Lebanon and Russia and we have broad horizons for fruitful cooperation between the two countries in various fields,” he added.
Replying a question on Astana and Geneva talks on Syria, Bogdanov said “there is no alternative for political negotiation tracks and for talks to reach ceasefire and find an inclusive political solution to the crisis in Syria on the basis of Security Council resolutions.
Earlier, Bogdanov met the Algerian Minister for Maghreb Affairs Abdul Kader Msahel in Amman and discussed with him the situation in Syria and other urgent issues.
Tass news agency reported quoting the Russian Foreign Ministry as saying in a statement that “the two sides exchanged viewpoints on urgent regional issues with focus on the situation in Syria and Libya.”
Bogdanov and Msahel affirmed the importance of reactivating the coordinated efforts of international community in the fight against terrorism and extremism in the Middle East and North Africa, according to the ministry’s statement.
On Monday, the Russian diplomat met the Jordanian King Abdullah II and exchanged with him viewpoints on several issues to be discussed at the Arab summit due on Wdnesday, particularly the crises in Syria, Iraq, and Yemen in addition to the Palestinian cause.
The two sides’ meeting dealt with joint contribution to find urgent solutions to the “conflicts which fuel terrorism and extremism that have become a serious threat facing the entire world”.
Hamda Mustafa