MOSCOW, February 10. /TASS/. Russia welcomes the formation of a new cabinet in Lebanon and sees this step as crucial to the country’s long-term stability, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

"The establishment of the new Lebanese government headed by Prime Minister Nawaf Salam was announced on February 8. It comprises 24 ministers representing all the ethnic-confessional groups of the population. In the coming days, Cabinet ministers will finalize a policy statement and present it to the parliament in accordance with the Constitution of the Republic of Lebanon so that a confidence vote can be held," the Foreign Ministry noted.

"Moscow hails this latest important step on the path toward restoring the efficient functioning of the Lebanese state and reinforcing stability in this country, which has traditionally friendly relations with Russia on the basis of domestic Lebanese consensus," it said.

Russia confirmed its unwavering support for the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Lebanon and the disposition towards further development of multi-faceted Russian-Lebanese ties on the basis of mutual respect and benefit, the ministry added.