The special envoy of President Saad Hariri to Russia, George Shaaban, announced today, Monday, that Russian Deputy Foreign Minister and the President's envoy to the Middle East, Mikhail Bogdanov, delivered an invitation for Hariri to visit Russia during a recent meeting between them.
Shaaban said in a statement to Sputnik: "Saad Hariri has an invitation to visit Moscow, and the date will be determined at the appropriate time. The invitation was handed over by Mikhail Bogdanov during a recent meeting with Hariri."
He added: "We are in constant communication with the Russian leadership and in ongoing consultations regarding the situations in the region and the area with the Russian leadership, and these communications have not ceased since President Hariri's retreat."
Regarding whether Hariri's visit is linked to visits from Lebanese politicians to Moscow as a Russian initiative aiming to bring together the views of Lebanese political forces, Hariri's special envoy said: "Russia always works for the stability, sovereignty, and independence of Lebanon, and it communicates with all parties in Lebanon. It is keen to prevent the expansion of the war in the region, especially in Lebanon and Syria, and it is in constant contact with the key active forces to prevent the escalation of conflict, making significant efforts in this direction. It is always keen to elect a president as soon as possible through consultation and dialogue among the Lebanese on essential issues."
