Medvedev Meets Suleiman: Russia is Determined to Develop its Ties with Lebanon

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev hoped on Tuesday that President Michel Suleiman would help bolster ties among the Lebanese people and develop the state.

He said: “Russia will help the Lebanese people develop their state and it in turn will develop its ties with Lebanon.”

He made his remarks after holding talks in Moscow with Suleiman, who is in Russia where he received on Monday an award by the International Foundation for Unity of Orthodox Christian Nations.

“Russia is determined to advance its relationship with Lebanon,” added Medvedev.

For his part, Suleiman voiced Lebanon's keenness to develop its ties with Moscow.

He is scheduled to hold talks on Wednesday with his Russia counterpart Vladimir Putin.

As Safir newspaper reported on Monday that the meetings will focus on the situation in the region and mainly Syria. They are also expected to deal with the conditions of Christians in the Middle East, including Lebanon and Syria.

The Central News Agency said earlier this month that the president's trip to Moscow will be an opportunity to discuss Russian military assistance to Lebanon, including promises to provide Lebanon with MiG airplanes.