At a press conference in Ain al-Tineh on Monday after meeting with Berri , Lavrov said that that Russia has no political condition in its bilateral relations with Lebanon. “We respect whoever the Lebanese people elect, and we will cooperate with them,” .
He also said that all three top leaders assured him that Lebanon is working hard for democratic and transparent parliamentary elections.
“Everyone should respect the will of the Lebanese people, both on a local and international level,” Lavrov said.
With regards to the Lebanese army Lavrov said : “We consider the strengthening of the Lebanese army with military equipment important for maintaining the sovereignty and independence of Lebanon,” adding that preparations are on the way to supply the LAF with MIG 29 planes.
Lavrove called the Der Speigel report accusing Hezbollah of being behind the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri" politicized.” And added that "Russia wanted a professional Special Tribunal for Lebanon, without it being politicized."
Prior to departing from Beirut airport Lavrov visited with parliament majority leader MP Saad Hariri the tomb of former Premier Rafik Hariri in downtown Beirut. After laying a wreath at Hariri's tomb Lavrov said : "I could not visit Lebanon without visiting this place, and remember the great citizen who gave his life to defend the sovereignty, freedom , unity and independence of his homeland, and we should never forget him and let his efforts go in vain.
Monday
00:45 Lebanon Files :The first plane carrying Lebanese expatriates who are coming to vote is expected this week. Both the opposition and the ruling majority will be bringing in thousands of expatriates for the June 7 elections specially for hotly contested regions
00:30 Rabih Habr, Managing director of Statistics Lebanon predicts the new parliament following the June 7 elections will be equally split between March 14 and March 8 ( 64-64)
23:00 MP Walid Jumblatt has urged the Lebanese to honor the Liberation Day by endorsing a unified defense strategy that will strengthen the state's capabilities and "gradually" merge the resistance with the military establishment.
22:55 Bahrain has discovered its first case of Swine Flu
22:45 MP candidate Nayla Tueni told LBC : I don’t have a personal problem with Abu Jamra our disagreements are over political issues.
22:35 Pharaoun criticizes Aoun during LBC interview : Aoun is talking about liberating Ashrafiyeh , why didn’t he liberate Marjayoun and Hasbayya . In reference to Issam Abu Jamra who is running in Ashrafiyeh after he was rejected in Marjayoun and Hasbayya, where he comes from .
22:35 Hezbollah's Nasrallah : We have been in continuous contact with Aoun since the nineties
21:03 Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah said that his earlier statements, in which he described May 7 as “a glorious day,” were “taken out of context.” He praised MP Walid Jumblatt, and called his actions “positive during and after the Doha talks". He attacked Der Spiegel report in which Hezbollah was accused of being behind Hariri's assassination.
21:03 celebratory gunfire in Dhahiya timed with the appearance of Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah on TV
20:55 MP Saad Hariri met MPs Walid Jumblatt and Ghazi Aridi and reconciled 2 families of the Arabs of Maslakh Othman and Shehadeh
20:55 MP Saad Hariri calls on the citizens of Tripoli to elect the whole March 14 electoral list as a proof of loyalty to all the martyrs of 14 March
19:15 MP Michel Murr: We are very comfortable with our position in the Metn electoral district and based on the polls we expect to win 70 % of the vote if 80,000 will cast their votes
19:12 : Iranian Speaker Ali Larijani : Hezbollah is not a terrorist organization , it is defending dignity and honor
18:55 Syrian FM Walid Mouallem commented on Der Spiegel report : The report distorts the facts and derails the investigation . The International investigator should exercise his authorities
18:50 The higher council for defense will convene in Baabda Palace on Tuesday at 5:30pm to discuss Israeli military maneuvers, espionage networks and pre-election preparations.
18:40 Foreign Minister Fawzi Salloukh who is closely associated with Hezbollah told AFP: Der Spiegel’s accusations are baseless, forged and distorts facts. They aim to cause civil strife.
18:27 Iranian president Ahmadinejad: Opposition victory in Lebanon elections will strengthen resistance and change regional balance
17:16 MP Michel Aoun attacked minister Marouni in defense of Hezbollah and asked what did Hezbollah ever do to you? Aoun added "after the elections there will be change, and maybe we will see the demolition of these old Maronite political schools"
17:15 Aoun criticized Biden for meeting with March 14 leaders and said : "He revealed his cards by doing so" . In reference to Der Spiegel report about Hezbollah's involvement in Hariri murder Aoun said: " Foreign press coverage of international news is not more honorable than Lebanese press coverage of elections." Aoun also said: Walid Jumblat changed his political path and realized he lost the battle on the domestic, regional and international levels."
15:00 MP Saad Hariri in response to Der Spiegel Report on Hezbollah’s involvement in Hariri’s murder : We will not comment on any form of media reports that do not directly come directly from the Special Tribunal fro Lebanon
14:25 The German embassy: The German government has no information about the Der Spiegel Report on Hezbollah’s involvement in Hariri’s murder. The international tribunal is independent.
14:20 Lavrov ended his visit to Beirut.
14:00 Lavrov after laying a wreath at Hariri's tomb : "I could not visit Lebanon without visiting this place, and remember the great citizen who gave his life to defend the sovereignty, freedom , unity and independence of his homeland, and we should never forget him and let his efforts go in vain.
13:40 Siniora in a statement on the occasion of Liberation Day: This glorious day was achieved due to the sacrifices of the people and the state.
12:50 Lavrov visited with MP Saad Hariri the graveyard of slain Premier Rafik Hariri in downtown Beirut.
12:30 Lavrov: The Lebanese people should choose whoever they want without resorting to a foreign side. It is important to accept the results of the elections not only by the Lebanese society but also by all those who want to see Lebanon independent and free.
12:05 MP Mohammed Raad: Surveys confirm that the opposition has the biggest chance of becoming the majority.
12:02 MP Michel Aoun continues his tour in Kesrouan: The battle is comprehensive to guarantee a majority in parliament or else there can’t be reform. The other party seeks to torpedo reform attempts.
12:00 Lavrov after meeting Siniora: We will support the Lebanese people no matter what the election results were. The elections are for the Lebanese people. Let them choose what they want.
11:30 The communist party’s Secretary-General, Khaled Hdadeh, told LBC: Disagreement between the party and the opposition over a common platform prevented a serious talk about the group’s representation in the opposition lists.
10:30 Lavrov went into talks with PM Fouad Siniora at the Grand Serail.
9:55 FPM: Nadim de Tarazi, the husband of Change and Reform bloc MP Gilberte Zouein, died at Hotel Dieu Hospital.
9:54 Russian FM Sergei Lavrov is meeting with President Michel Suleiman at Baabda palace.
9:00 Unknown assailants burned at dawn a Mitsubishi four-wheeler owned by Ali Rida and Shadi Najm’s Honda Civic vehicle in Beirut’s Shiyyah district.
7:35 Candidate Fares Soueid told VOL: I don’t think there is a possibility today to reach an understanding between March 14 and independents in Jbeil for political reasons. The March 14 forces will meet this week.
Sunday
19:30 Voice of Lebanon : A huge fire erupted in Ashrafiyeh near the residence of MP Solange Gemayel in the al Tilal building
18:41 Carlos Edde : Hezbollah is not satisfied with the liberation of Lebanon but wants to liberate Palestine as well to serve the interests of Wilayat al Faqih
18:16 former minister Suleiman Franjiyeh threatens his opponents " we won't let them run again as candidates in Zghara he told an election rally
18:12 Saad Hariri told an election rally in Iqleem al-Kharroub: The special tribunal for Lebanon will soon be able to provide permanent justice and protection for Lebanon and its democratic system
18:10 Lebanon Files : former SSNP chief Assem Qanso and Lebanon's Baath chief Fayez Shukr were reconciled last week by Syrian government officials in Damascus
18:06 Jumblatt during an Electoral Rally for the Shouf District in Iqlim al-Kharroub: We will continue with Lebanon first, Palestine first and Arabism first
17:58 MP Elie Aoun: March 8 project is all about a Third Republic, an obstructing vote and arms above the arms of the state
17:52 Berri says as long as the sky is blue the Israelis will not return to Lebanon. I agree with Jumblatt, we want the complete Taif Accord, we want to eliminate political sectarianism, we want all the Lebanese who are abroad to vote, we want a Senate, But we want our democracy to be understood as a concessional democracy.
17:33 LF MP Adwan: To those talking about the return of the displaced to Mount Lebanon, look at how the Muslims, Christians and Druze are gathered here today for March 14 electoral gathering in Iqlim al-Kharroub.