MOSCOW, January 26 (Itar-Tass) — Russia supports independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and unity of the Republic of Lebanon, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said at a meeting with chairman of the Lebanese Progressive Socialist Party Walid Jumblat.

The sides “discussed the situation in the Middle East putting emphasis on the development of the situation in Lebanon,” Russian Foreign Ministry sources informed. They “exchanged opinions on developments in Syria and ways that would help to peacefully overcome the crisis in that country by the Syrian people themselves without foreign interference and with respect for the sovereignty of the Syrian Arab Republic,” they added.

They also “considered the further strengthening of bilateral Russian-Lebanese relations,” the sources said. Lavrov emphasized “Russia’s firm support for independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and unity of the Republic of Lebanon,” the sources added.

“A bid has been confirmed to boost and expand mutually advantageous relations with that country and active contacts with all its leading political forces,” the ministry sources reported.