Zasypkin Says Lebanon Must Stage Parliamentary Polls
Russian ambassador to Lebanon Alexander Zasypkin stressed on Saturday that Lebanon must stage the parliamentary elections and pointed out that an electoral law is up for the Lebanese to decide.
“We insist on the issue of staging the parliamentary elections, but the draft of an electoral law is an internal Lebanese affair,” said the ambassador in an interview to VDL (100.5).
Turning to the issue of Syrian refugees in Lebanon he said: “The return of Syrian refugees back to their homeland must be discussed with the Syrian regime.”
“My stay in Lebanon is not linked to the end of the Syrian war. And I leave it to the Russian administration,” he added.
Pointing to international aid to help Lebanon cope with the burden of refugees he pointed out: “There is an international consensus on helping Lebanon, I do not see any contradictions or differences regarding the need to provide assistance to Lebanon against the backdrop of the Syrian refugees.”
As for refugees encampments he remarked: “On the subject of the refugee camps in Lebanon, it is up to the Lebanese. We are against the safe zones issue. The return of refugees should be discussed with the regime," he said.
Source: Naharnet
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