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'I’ll keep it close at hand': Lavrov gifted with traditional Malian sword in Bamako

On Tuesday, the Russian top diplomat visited Bamako on his first working visit

BAMAKO /Mali/, February 7. /TASS/. Mali’s Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop has presented his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov with a traditional Malian sword.

"We would like to make you this present and we hope that you will remember this visit," the Malian top diplomat said.

"I will keep it close at hand," Lavrov replied with a smile. In turn, he presented his Malian colleague with a painting depicting the Russian Foreign Ministry.

On Tuesday, the Russian top diplomat visited Bamako on his first working visit. Earlier, he was in Baghdad where his current tour kicked off.

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