ZCZC
BFF-18
LEBANON-RUSSIA-WORLD-CUP-DIPLOMACY
Lebanese PM in Moscow to meet Putin
BEIRUT, June 13, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Lebanon’s prime minister-designate Saad
Hariri will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Wednesday, the
eve of the FIFA World Cup, Hariri’s office said.
He will then attend the football tournament’s inaugural match on Thursday,
pitting Russia against his longtime backer, Saudi Arabia.
Riyadh has been a key ally of Hariri for years, but the relationship
appeared to falter in late 2017 when Hariri announced his surprise
resignation during a trip to the kingdom.
He subsequently rescinded the decision and in May was appointed for a new
term as prime minister following parliamentary elections.
He is now in talks to form a coalition government.
Hariri, 48, met Putin in the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi in
September 2017.
BSS/AFP/FI/ 1228 hrs