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Qatari Minister Holds Meetings in Lebanon amid International Action to Help Address Crisis

The head of the Marada Movement, former Minister Sleiman Franjieh, received Al-Khulaifi and his accompanying delegation on Tuesday. (Franjieh’s Twitter account)
The head of the Marada Movement, former Minister Sleiman Franjieh, received Al-Khulaifi and his accompanying delegation on Tuesday. (Franjieh’s Twitter account)
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Qatari Minister Holds Meetings in Lebanon amid International Action to Help Address Crisis

The head of the Marada Movement, former Minister Sleiman Franjieh, received Al-Khulaifi and his accompanying delegation on Tuesday. (Franjieh’s Twitter account)
The head of the Marada Movement, former Minister Sleiman Franjieh, received Al-Khulaifi and his accompanying delegation on Tuesday. (Franjieh’s Twitter account)

International action to help Lebanon overcome its crisis have recently come to the fore, especially the quintet meeting that recently brought together representatives of the United States, France, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Qatar in Paris.

In parallel, Qatar’s Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al-Khulaifi, continued to hold meetings with Lebanese officials within the framework of an exploratory tour that started on Monday.

The Qatari diplomat stressed the need to maintain support for the Lebanese military institution to enable it to carry out its tasks in preserving Lebanon’s security.

A statement issued by the Lebanese Army Command said that Al-Khulaifi met with the Army Commander, General Joseph Aoun, with whom he discussed the general situation in Lebanon and the region.

As part of his meetings on Tuesday, the Qatari minister met with the head of the Lebanese Forces party, Samir Geagea, in Maarab, the day after his talks, on Monday evening, with the head of the Progressive Socialist Party (PSP), Walid Jumblatt.

Also on Tuesday, the head of the Marada Movement, former Minister Sleiman Franjieh, met with Al-Khulaifi and his accompanying delegation, in the presence of the Qatari Ambassador to Lebanon, Ibrahim Al-Sahlawi, MP Tony Franjieh, and former Minister Roni Araiji. Discussions touched on the general situation and the latest developments in Lebanon and the region.

In a related context, former Minister Nehme Tohme highlighted in a statement the “Arab and international role aimed at rescuing Lebanon from its crises and setbacks, and pushing the concerned political forces to elect a president for the republic to end the presidential vacuum.”

Pointing to the role of Saudi Arabia, Tohme said: “Here is the Kingdom today, maintaining its role to help our country, not to mention the economic support it provided, which had a positive impact in fortifying the Lebanese economy for many years, accompanied by its embrace of the largest Lebanese community that enjoys all appreciation and respect…”

“Saudi Arabia remains the main axis in this movement that is taking place today, whether in the quintet meeting or through its role and presence at the regional and international levels, thanks to the wisdom of the Saudi leadership and the clear vision of Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman,” he added.

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Lavrov: Moscow Maintains Communication with Damascus, Will Not Withdraw from the Region

Syrian forces stop a car at a checkpoint after taking control of the port of Tartus earlier this month. (AFP)
Syrian forces stop a car at a checkpoint after taking control of the port of Tartus earlier this month. (AFP)
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Lavrov: Moscow Maintains Communication with Damascus, Will Not Withdraw from the Region

Syrian forces stop a car at a checkpoint after taking control of the port of Tartus earlier this month. (AFP)
Syrian forces stop a car at a checkpoint after taking control of the port of Tartus earlier this month. (AFP)

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov reaffirmed Russia’s commitment to the Middle East, stating that Moscow “has not and will not withdraw from the region.” He emphasized ongoing communication with Syria’s new leadership and expressed readiness to support the political process in the country.

Speaking at a press conference in Moscow on Tuesday, Lavrov attributed Syria’s deteriorating situation to the previous regime, blaming its unwillingness to implement reforms and share power with the opposition.

“The refusal of the former Syrian regime to make any changes or share power with the opposition was one of the primary reasons for its collapse,” he said.

Lavrov noted that over the past decade, since President Bashar al-Assad requested Russian intervention in the Syrian war and the launch of the Astana peace process, Damascus had delayed advancing the political path.

“Despite support from Arab nations, Syrian authorities showed reluctance to move forward politically and sought to maintain the status quo,” he explained.

He highlighted Russia’s repeated calls for the Syrian government to engage with the Constitutional Committee, established during the 2018 Syrian National Dialogue Congress in Sochi, and to actively work on drafting a new constitution.

Lavrov also pointed to economic challenges exacerbated by sanctions, which have stifled Syria’s economy, and US control over oil-rich eastern regions. Resources were exploited to fuel separatist ambitions in northeastern Syria, he remarked.

Moreover, the FM revealed details of Moscow’s earlier discussions with Kurdish groups, reiterating his country’s position that Kurdish rights should be guaranteed within the constitutional frameworks of Syria, Iraq, Iran and Türkiye.

He argued that the previous Syrian regime’s reluctance to engage in political dialogue resulted in stalled reforms proposed by the United Nations, Moscow and Cairo platforms, and Istanbul-based opposition groups. This inaction, he said, created a vacuum that ultimately led to the collapse.

Furthermore, he dismissed claims that his country’s withdrawal from Syria would signal its departure from the Middle East.

“Russia has not and will not leave the region,” he declared. Without directly addressing the status of Russian military bases in Syria, Lavrov emphasized: “Our embassy never left Damascus, and we maintain ongoing communication with the authorities.”

He also stressed Russia’s willingness to facilitate inclusive dialogue involving all national, political and sectarian factions, as well as relevant international stakeholders. Lavrov underscored that recent discussions with Türkiye, Gulf nations, and other parties demonstrated widespread agreement that Russia and Iran must be involved in the Syrian peace process if sustainable results are to be achieved.

For his part, Mikhail Bogdanov, Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister and Special Presidential Envoy to the Middle East and Africa, reaffirmed Russia’s focus on developments in Syria, describing relations with Damascus as a “priority of Russian foreign policy.”

Reports on Tuesday suggested that Bogdanov might soon lead a Russian delegation to Damascus. However, a Russian diplomatic source informed Asharq Al-Awsat that no date for the visit has been confirmed. The visit, which was reportedly postponed, would mark the first by a senior Russian official to Damascus since the fall of Assad’s regime in December.

Meanwhile, media reports indicated that Moscow is facing logistical challenges in withdrawing military equipment from Syria, due to restrictions imposed by Syrian authorities on the movement of Russian ships in territorial waters.

According to the English-language edition of RT, the Russian ship Sparta 2, designated to transport military equipment and weapons, was denied entry to the Port of Tartus, where Russia maintains its only overseas naval base.