Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov and ex-Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri, who leads the Al-Mustaqbal party, discussed on Thursday over the phone the situation in the Middle Eastern country following the massive blast in Beirut
MOSCOW (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 20th August, 2020) Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov and ex-Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri, who leads the Al-Mustaqbal party, discussed on Thursday over the phone the situation in the middle Eastern country following the massive blast in Beirut.
"During the conversation, a number of topical issues on the Russian-Lebanese agenda were discussed, including taking into account the socio-economic situation in Lebanon, which has escalated since the devastating explosion in the port of Beirut on August 4 this year. Saad Hariri expressed deep gratitude for the prompt assistance provided by Russia in eliminating the consequences of this large-scale disaster," the ministry said.
Bogdanov told Hariri that Russia is standing in solidarity with the Lebanese people and reaffirmed support for the country's sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and internal political stability.
The Russian diplomat then also spoke with Lebanese Progressive Socialist Party's President Walid Jumblatt, having confirmed Moscow's readiness to continue supporting Lebanon.
"The Russian side reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to further strengthening traditionally friendly relations with Lebanon and readiness to continue practical assistance to the Lebanese in normalizing the socio-economic situation, including measures to eliminate the consequences of the explosion in the port of Beirut on August 4, as well as in the context of countering the spread of coronavirus infection," the ministry said.
Hariri's cabinet resigned in late October amid mass protests over the deep economic and finical crisis in the country. In January, President Michel Aoun appointed former education Minister Hassan Diab as the next prime minister. The new team had to deal with continued protests and further economic collapse driven by the pandemic. Less than a week after the August 4 blast, which was caused by improper storage of ammonium nitrate in the port and triggered public outrage, the Diab government stepped down.
