Beirut: Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov promised Friday that his country will assist the Lebanese army and other security forces in their fight against terrorism.
"We continue to offer support to Lebanon at the political and economic levels and of course, in the military field, in order to strengthen the capabilities of the army, police and security forces to combat terrorism at a larger scale," Bogdanov said after meeting the Speaker of the Lebanese parliament, Nabih Berri, Xinhua reported.
The visiting Russian diplomat also touched upon the Syrian crisis, saying that Moscow favours organising contacts between the Syrian government and the opposition to launch new and unconditional talks in order to end the crisis in that war-torn country.
"We are in contact with the Syrian government and the opposition inside and outside Syria and our mission is to organise consultative contacts for serious negotiations, without preconditions," Bogdanov stressed.
He added that "the Syrian people, represented by the government and the opposition (should be) the decision makers on their fate and future, so that Syria can remain a united country."
Bogdanov held talks earlier with Lebanese Prime Minister Tammam Salam and former President Michel Suleiman separately. He also met Lebanese Foreign Affairs Minister Gebran Bassil.
