Russia urges Lebanon to take stabilization measures

Russia’s Foreign Ministry on Monday called on Lebanese authorities to show restraint and adopt measures to stabilize the country’s political situation. Lebanon has largely managed to remain neutral in the conflict that began in neighboring Syria last March, but violence has recently spread to the country’s northern region, which saw frequent clashes between rival Sunni groups in the past two weeks. On Sunday, Lebanese troops shot dead a Sunni cleric at a checkpoint in northern Lebanon. At least two people were killed and 18 injured in Beirut in clashes overnight. “Moscow is seriously concerned over the rise of public discontent in Lebanon…we are calling on Lebanese politicians to show restraint and high patriotic responsibility in this uneasy moment both for the country and for the region,” the Foreign Ministry said urging Lebanese authorities to restore order in the country. The ministry also said that “forces that are unable to implement their destabilization plans in Syria have turned their attention to Lebanon.” Many Sunni Muslims in northern Lebanon advocate opposition uprisings against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and have accused the Lebanese army of taking orders directly from Damascus.