OREANDA-NEWS. June 09, 2009. Parliamentary elections took place in the Republic of Lebanon on June 7. Despite the tense atmosphere of rivalry among the various political forces, they passed calmly on the whole, without serious excesses. Turnout was high. International observers were present, including from Russia, and as specially invited guests – representatives of the International Affairs Committee of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation led by its chairman Mikhail Margelov.

Moscow welcomes the elections held. We also presume that their final results will be received both inside and outside Lebanon as the expression of the will of the Lebanese people and as a new stimulus for all Lebanese political forces to continue to cooperate for the sake of the further stabilization of the country and the strengthening of its statehood.

We are convinced that only via continued dialogue with consideration for the interests of all Lebanese and the search for compromise-based untanglings is it possible to find solutions to the complicated issues of the domestic political agenda that would suit all parties.

For our part, we stand ready to continue to cooperate with the authorities of the Republic of Lebanon and with all major Lebanese political forces in the interest of developing Russian-Lebanese bilateral relations, strengthening the political independence, unity and stability of Lebanon and achieving peace in the Middle East.