LEBANON: RUSSIAN FM LAVROV DISCUSSES MIDDLE EAST,

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIRUT 000580 SIPDIS DEPT FOR NEA/FO, NEA/ELA, AND NEA/ARP ALSO FOR IO A/S BRIMMER P FOR DRUSSELL, RRANGASWAMY USUN FOR WOLFF/GERMAIN/SCHEDLBAUER NSC FOR SHAPIRO, MCDERMOTT DOD/OSD FOR FLOURNOY/KAHL/DALTON DRL/NESA FOR WHITMAN, BARGHOUT OVP FOR HMUSTAFA E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/28/2014 TAGS: LE PGOV PINR PREL SA RU SUBJECT: LEBANON: RUSSIAN FM LAVROV DISCUSSES MIDDLE EAST, ELECTIONS IN VISIT TO LEBANON Classified By: Ambassador Michele J. Sison for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (C) Russian FM Sergei Lavrov made a one-day visit to Lebanon May 25. Russian Deputy Chief of Mission Alexander Chvykov told the DCM on May 27 that the trip had three purposes: discuss bilateral relations, express support for Lebanon's stability ahead of the June 7 parliamentary elections and extend an invitation to the GOL to participate in Russia's planned international conference on the Middle East. Lavrov called for the results of the election to be recognized by the Lebanese and the international community. Chvykov reported that Russia plans to send a delegation of Russian MPs to Lebanon to observe the June 7 Lebanese elections. ¶2. (C) Chvykov also discussed the arrival in Lebanon that day of the new Syrian Ambassador to Lebanon. DCM briefed Chvykov on the May 22 visit of Vice President Joseph Biden; Chvykov was most interested in hearing about US military assistance to Lebanon. End Summary. RUSSIA-LEBANON TIES -------------- ¶3. (C) DCM, accompanied by PolOff, met with Russian Deputy Chief of Mission Alexander Chvykov on May 27 at the Russian Embassy in West Beirut. Chvykov noted that Syria's ambassador to Lebanon Ali Abdel Karim Ali was arriving in Beirut that day, 11 days before the June 7 parliamentary elections. Chvykov said that during his May 25 visit to Beirut, Russian FM Sergei Lavrov met with President Michel Sleiman, Prime Minister Fouad Siniora, and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri. Lavrov also visited the tomb of assassinated ex-premier Rafiq Hariri, where he briefly saw the slain leader's son, Saad Hariri, but did not meet with him, according to Chvykov. Before coming to Beirut, Lavrov met with Lebanese FM Fawzi Salloukh in Damascus while both were attending the 36th Foreign Ministers session of the Organization of Islamic Conference. ¶4. (C) According to Chvykov, Lavrov's visit focused on three issues: bilateral ties, the June 7 parliamentary elections, and the Middle East and Israeli-Palestinian peace efforts. On bilateral ties, Chvykov said that Russia would like to continue its increased commercial cooperation with Lebanon. Chvykov noted that Lavrov said that Russia will respect the decisions of the Lebanese people after the June 7 vote, and the FM assured the Lebanese that bilateral cooperation with all political figures will continue regardless of the outcome of the elections. RUSSIA SUPPORTS FREE, FAIR, TRANSPARENT ELECTIONS -------------- ¶5. (C) On the parliamentary elections, Chvykov reported that Lavrov expressed in all his meetings Russia's support for Lebanon's stability and the efforts of the Lebanese authorities to hold free, fair, and transparent parliamentary elections. Lavrov said the international community must recognize the result of Lebanon's general election next month irrespective of who wins a majority. He said that a six-member delegation headed by the chairman of the Russian parliament's International Affairs Committee, Mikael Margelov, will arrive to Beirut the week of the elections to observe the vote. The delegation will have same privileges as other observation missions, in accordance with Interior Ministry rules. MIDDLE EAST PEACE -------------- BEIRUT 00000580 002 OF 002 ¶6. (C) On the issue of Lebanon and the Middle East peace, Chvykov said that Lavrov highlighted the need for a comprehensive approach to Middle East peace to help resolve Lebanese-Israeli issues and bring stability to the wider region. According to Chvykov, Lavrov extended an invitation to the GOL to participate in an upcoming international conference on the Middle East in Moscow, and Russia expects Lebanon to participate in the conference. Lavrov informed the Lebanese that Moscow intends to organize several meetings in June with members of the Quartet and Arab League members; he was not sure if these meetings would be held jointly. MILITARY ASSISTANCE AND DEMINING -------------- ¶7. (C) DCM provided Chvykov with a readout on the May 22 visit to Lebanon of US Vice President Joseph Biden. Chvykov listened politely and focused his questions on US military assistance to Lebanon. He inquired about the delivery of M60 tanks to the Lebanese army. DCM told him some tanks have already been delivered, while the rest are in the pipeline. ¶8. (C) Chvykov reported that Russia has expressed an interest in becoming more involved in demining efforts in Lebanon. He said that a Russian project proposal has been submitted to the GOL and is awaiting a response. COMMENT -------------- ¶9. (C) Press reported that new Syrian Ambassador to Lebanon Ali Abdel Karim Ali arrived by car from Syria on May 27 and will present his credentials to President Sleiman on May 29. Some Lebanese press outlets reported (falsely) the arrival of 10 MiGS in Lebanon. Chvykov did not raise the issue of MiGS in the meeting. End Comment. SISON