Russian, Mideast officials discuss situation in Syria and region

MOSCOW, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- Top Russian diplomats on Friday met separately with high-ranking officials from Lebanon and Syria, to discuss the Syrian crisis and other regional stability issues.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov met with leader of the Lebanese Progressive Socialists Party Walid Jumblatt, while Lavrov 's deputy Mikhail Bogdanov held talks with visiting members of the Syrian National Council, the country's parliament, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement released on its website.

The Russian diplomats reaffirmed Moscow's support for " sovereignty, integrity and independence of all the countries" in the Middle East, including Lebanon and Syria.

They stressed that all internal problems of these countries must be settled peacefully by legal means and dialogue, with no outside interference.

During the meetings, the two sides also discussed bilateral affairs, according to the statement.

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