Bogdanov Hopes for Quick Cabinet Formation, Warns: Prolongation of Syrian Conflict Increases Differences in Lebanon

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov hoped on Saturday that the unanimity on Tammam Salam's nomination would allow the premier-designate to quickly form the new government, warning against the prolongation of Syria's conflict and its repercussions on Lebanon.

“We hope that the unanimity on his nomination would reflect on the cabinet formation process and allow Salam to quickly form it,” Bogdanov told reporters in al-Msaitbeh after holding talks with the prime minister-designate.

Salam was tasked earlier this month with forming the cabinet after he received the support of 124 out of 128 MPs during binding consultations led by President Michel Suleiman at Baabda palace.

Asked about Hizbullah's involvement in Syria's war, Bogdanov said: “We express our full support to the Baabda declaration and stress that efforts should be exerted to preserve the sovereignty and independence of Lebanon.”

Hizbullah has been recently severely criticized for helping Syrian regime troops in their battles against armed rebels.

Syria's opposition says the Homs town of al-Qusayr has in the past week become the focal point of Syria's spiraling war and that Hizbullah has joined regular and militia fighters loyal to President Bashar Assad to try to crush the insurgency there.

Claims that chemical weapons have been used in Syria should not become a pretext for a foreign military intervention in the country, Bogdanov said.

"We must know the truth and have proof and not rely on information reported in the media which is not supported by facts," he said in Arabic on Hizbullah's al-Manar television station.

"We have the past experience of another violent intervention in Iraqi affairs under the pretext of the presence of nuclear weapons, and it turned out in the end that there was nothing," he added.

After his meeting with Salam, the Russian official, who is President Vladmir Putin's Middle East envoy, headed to Maarab for talks with Lebanese Forces chief Samir Geagea.

“We hope there would be security, stability and peace in Lebanon though dialogue,” he said.

Later on Saturday, Bogdanov held talks with former premier Fouad Saniora and a delegation of al-Mustaqbal parliamentary bloc.

The Russian statesman expressed his fear over the prolongation of Syria's conflict, warning that it might increase the differences between the Lebanese factions.

“We are worried that a prolongation of the Syrian conflict would mean a prolongation of the differences of stances in both Lebanon and Syria. It is a must that we find a quick solution to the Syrian crisis,” he said after the meeting.

Bogdanov stressed on the necessity to find an end to the Syrian crisis: “The repercussions of Syria's conflict might be grave and this is why we must draw an end to the country's war and deal with the problems it has produced, including the increasing number of refugees.”

He also revealed that he informed President Michel Suleiman about his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin's support for Lebanon's sovereignty, independence and unity, as well as the protection of its territories.

Later in the day, the diplomat held talks with Lebanese Democratic Party leader Talal Arslan.

Bogdanov described the meeting as “positive,” pointing out that the meeting addressed the situation in Syria and Lebanon.

He also considered the meeting as “detailed and deep.”

For his part, Arslan hailed the role played by Russia in the region, considering it as a supporter of “justice, freedom and the independence of countries to achieve an international balance.”

On the third day of his visit to Beirut, Bogdanov is also scheduled to hold talks with Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun.

After talks with Lebanese officials on Friday, including President Suleiman, Bogdanov called for dialogue as the only means to resolve the country's political problems.