PRESERVING LEBANESE PM SINIORA'S GOVERNMENT:

S E C R E T MOSCOW 012029 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/25/2016 TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER KDEM MOPS RS SUBJECT: PRESERVING LEBANESE PM SINIORA'S GOVERNMENT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED REF: STATE 172274 Classified By: Ambassador William J. Burns: 1.4(B/D). ¶1. (S) We delivered reftel demarche October 25 to MFA Middle East and North Africa Department Senior Counselor Vladimir Baibakov. Baibakov provided the following points: -- the GOR was aware of the concern over the SARG's attempt to undermine the Siniora government; -- Russia sees Siniora as a consolidating force in Lebanon and is not interested in seeing his government fail. His demise could increase the possibility of another civil war in Lebanon; -- with Hezbollah's influence increasing, all parties should seek ways to render assistance to the Siniora government; -- Israel PM Olmert raised the issue during his meeting with FM Lavrov, and the GOR had conveyed its concern to Syrian officials following Olmert's departure. ¶2. (C) Separately, Presidential Administration foreign policy advisor Sergey Prikhodko confirmed to Ambassador that the GOR was seeking ways to bolster both the Siniora government and Abu Mazen, and was pleased by Olmert's sympathetic approach to shoring up the central Lebanese government. BURNS