Russia, Lebanon cooperate towards dialogue among civilizations, says Lavrov

MOSCOW, November 18. /TASS/. Promoting a dialogue of civilizations is among priorities in partnership between Russia and Lebanon on the international stage, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said after talks with Lebanese counterpart Gebran Bassil on Wednesday. "We have a number of projects of a humanitarian nature, including those advancing dialogue of civilizations and confessions in line with the initiative that Russia, Lebanon and Armenia with participation by the Vatican launched within the framework of the UN Human Rights Council," he said. One of its aims was to protect Christians who were greatly affected in present-day conflicts in the Middle East and in North Africa, Lavrov said. The initiative was also seeking protection of all ethnicities and confessional groups against discrimination as well as planning joint action towards dialogue among civilizations, religions and cultures, the diplomat said. He confirmed Russia’s readiness, also within the International Support Group for Lebanon, to assist in strengthening the potentials of Lebanon's army, police and security forces. Read more