Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov called Friday for endorsing the principles of the Baabda Declaration in all countries in the Middle East, as he declined to reveal whether or not he discussed the issue of the stalled presidential vote with the Lebanese officials.
“We encourage holding the presidential election and we laud the role of the Lebanese army and security forces in the fight against terrorism,” Bogdanov said after meeting former president Michel Suleiman.
He also reiterated his country's support for the Baabda Declaration, noting that it is “valid for implementation in the rest of the countries in the Middle East.”
The declaration was endorsed by Lebanon's rival political parties on June 11, 2012, following a national dialogue session at the Baabda Palace.
It calls for keeping Lebanon away from the policies and conflicts of the region and the world, except when it comes to abiding by the resolutions of the United Nations, the Arab consensus and the Palestinian cause.