Bogdanov Calls on Lebanese Arch-Foes to Resolve Presidential Crisis

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov urged the Lebanese rivals to resolve the presidential deadlock to maintain stability, stressing that Moscow is seeking the election of a consensual president.

“This is the only solution,” Bogdanov was quoted as saying in comments published on Monday in local newspapers.

He pointed out that his country is not part of the presidential crisis, saying: “Moscow is in contact with the various Lebanese factions” to press the election of a consensual president.

Bogdanov revealed that Russian officials will meet soon with “Lebanese officials to tackle with them the developments and the growing challenges.”

The Russian diplomat, whose comments came on the sidelines of the Arab Summit held in Egypt's Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh over the weekend, denied that he will travel to Beirut any time soon to follow up the presidential stalemate.

MPs failed on several occasions to elect a new head of state over lack of quorum. President Michel Suleiman's term ended in May without the election of a successor.

Hizbullah and Aoun's Change and Reform bloc have been boycotting electoral sessions due to a disagreement with the March 14 camp over a compromise presidential candidate.

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