Raji Seeks Active Russian Role to Protect Lebanon's Sovereignty and Support Regional Stability

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants Joseph Raji met in the Russian capital, Moscow, with Andrei Ivanovich Denisov, First Deputy Chairman of the Committee on International Affairs of the Federation Council of Russia. The meeting reviewed developments in Lebanon, Lebanese-Russian relations, and ways to activate them.

Minister Raji thanked the committee chairman for the meeting and conveyed greetings from Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri and Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee MP Fadi Alama to him and to the Chairwoman of the Federation Council. He renewed Lebanon's aspiration for a positive role for Russia, particularly in helping secure Lebanon's sovereignty and stability.

During the meeting, Raji outlined the course of direct negotiations with Israel, emphasizing that Lebanon relies on the framework agreement to achieve a complete Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territories, the release of prisoners, the cessation of attacks, and the resolution of disputed border points. He also reaffirmed government decisions regarding the monopoly of arms, stressing the commitment to not allowing any armed organization parallel to the Lebanese Army.

For his part, Denisov emphasized his country's solidarity with Lebanon and condemned the ongoing Israeli attacks against it, stating that dialogue remains the only solution as all other alternatives have been tried. He expressed hope that Lebanese people, across all their components, would recognize the necessity of avoiding any internal confrontation, affirming that stability in Lebanon is a fundamental condition for regional stability.

The two sides agreed on the importance of activating bilateral relations, particularly at the parliamentary level. Denisov requested revitalizing communication through the Lebanese-Russian Parliamentary Friendship Committee, and Raji promised to convey this request to President Berri.