Hariri Discusses with Putin Situations in Lebanon, Region

Al-Mustaqbal movement leader ex-PM Saad Hariri held talks Thursday with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Black Sea resort town of Sochi.

The meeting was also attended by Hariri's adviser Nader Hariri, his adviser for Russian affairs George Shaaban, Putin's foreign affairs aide Yuri Ushakov and Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov.

According to a statement issued by Hariri's office, the talks tackled “the situations in Lebanon and the developments in the region, especially in Syria, Iraq and Yemen.”

On the first day of his trip on Wednesday, the ex-PM held talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

Lebanese newspapers had reported that the Hariri-Putin talks would address ways to safeguard Lebanon from the regional turmoil and possible means for supporting the country's military capabilities.

They were also expected to discuss Hariri's recent visits to Washington, Ankara, Doha and his meeting with French President Francois Hollande in Riyadh.

Y.R.