"We regard the withdrawal of the Syrian forces as an important step in fulfilling Resolution 1559 of the United Nations Security Council and the Taif agreement, setting a framework for Lebanon's post-war organization. Hopefully, this measure will make it possible to strengthen regional stability and secure conditions for the harmonious development of equitable good-neighborly relations between Syria and Lebanon", the statement reads.
The official spokesman for the Russian Foreign Ministry noted that "with the withdrawal of the Syrian forces a new page in the history of Lebanon is turned over".
Alexander Yakovenko believes that "the Syrian forces have, on the whole, played a positive role in ending the fratricidal bloodshed in Lebanon, subsequent restoration of state institutions and the maintenance of stability in that country".
"Now, in the new historical conditions, there is no more need for continuing the mission. The crucial goal consists, at this new stage, in preserving and strengthening through a dialog between all the Lebanese political forces national accord, civil peace and stability", the statement stresses.
In the opinion of the official spokesman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, "the key importance in this connection is held by free, honest and transparent elections to the Lebanese parliament in correspondence with the constitutional norms".
"The recent events, including the successful forming on the consensus basis of the government of Lebanon and the completion of the Syrian troops withdrawal, objectively create favorable conditions for that", the Russian Foreign Ministry thinks.
