FM Lavrov meets with UN Envoy for implementation of SecCo resolution 1559 – Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry press release/Non-UN document (excerpts)

Unofficial translation from Russian

PRESS RELEASE

Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov Meets with Terje Roed-Larsen, the UN Secretary General's Special Envoy for the Implementation of Security Council Resolution 1559

On March 13, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov received Terje Roed-Larsen, the UN Secretary General's Special Envoy for the implementation of Security Council Resolution 1559, who arrived in Moscow for consultations at the Russian MFA.

During conversation, the sides discussed the situation around Syria and Lebanon in the context of the implementation of this UN decision. It was noted with satisfaction that substantial progress has been achieved on this road, although there still remains on the agenda the implementation of the other provisions of the resolution concerning the disarmament of Lebanese and non-Lebanese irregular armed groups in Lebanon. The importance was stressed of solving these problems in the spirit of national reconciliation, without detriment to civil peace in that country. In this connection the interlocutors welcomed the national dialogue that has begun in Beirut with the participation of leading Lebanese forces to look for consensus on key issues of the foreign and domestic policy of the country. Hope was expressed that, despite all the difficulties and continuing differences, such a dialogue will help improve the internal political situation in Lebanon.

The importance was stressed of the implementation of Resolution 1559 and the other decisions of the international community facilitating the reinforcement of stability in Lebanon and the region as a whole.

March 13, 2006