Coordination of positions with Lebanon important to RF-Margelov

BEIRUT, September 14 (Itar-Tass) - The present visit to Lebanon has
been made "in furtherance of all the efforts being made by Russia on the
Syrian track, primarily in the light of the (regular) UN General Assembly
session," Mikhail Margelov, Chairman of the Federation Council Committee
on International Affairs, has told Itar-Tass. Beirut is the first leg of
his tour of a number of Arab and African countries.
Margelov recalled that Lebanon would preside over the meetings of the
UN Security Council at a crucial moment. Therefore, he said, "to
coordinate positions and actions with this country is now important to us
as never before".
Mikhail Margelov, Special Representatives of the RF President for
Africa, on Tuesday met here with President Michel Suleyman, Prime Minister
Najib Mikati, and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, as well as with a
number of political figures and members of parliament.
The so-called Arab spring -- the events in Tunisia, Egypt, Yemen,
Syria, and Bahrain -- was one of key subjects of discussion during the
talks, in which Alexander Zasypkin, Ambassador of the RF to Lebanon, took
part.
As regards Syria, Margelov said, a common opinion was expressed that
that country which is friendly to Russia and Lebanon will manage to
overcome the difficulties and get out of the political crisis.
The entire spectrum of bilateral relations -- which also includes the
theme of Russian companies' participation in the development of offshore
oil and gas deposits, as well as partnership in the banking sectors, and
military-technical cooperation matters - was discussed during the meetings
with the Lebanese leadership.
Next year, Margelov recalled, will see the 70th anniversary of the
establishment of diplomatic relations between Moscow and Beirut. This
"obliges us to step up the work of the Intergovernmental commission and
contacts in all fields".
Russia and Lebanon are traditionally brought together by warm friendly
relations. Margelov is of the opinion that the time has come to buttress
them up with a solid foundation of economic cooperation. "It is time to
add a robust dose of pragmatism to our relations, i.e. specific projects
which would be useful and beneficial to us and our Lebanese friends,"
Margelov said.