Russian Deputy Foreign Minister for Near Eastern Affairs Mikhail Bogdanov (left) and Georges Chaabane, special envoy of former Prime Minister Saad Hariri, in Moscow, Feb. 3, 2022. (Credit: DR)
Mikhail Bogdanov, the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister and Special Presidential Representative on the Middle East, had a phone call with Kuwaiti Deputy Foreign Minister Majdi al-Dhafiri earlier this week — a development that cannot go unnoticed in Lebanon, as Kuwait had recently led a diplomatic mission to Beirut on behalf of the Gulf monarchies and with the support of Western powers.
During a two-day official visit to Beirut on Jan. 22 and Jan. 23, Kuwait’s Foreign Minister Ahmad Nasser al-Mohammad al-Sabah handed the Lebanese authorities a roadmap devised to help Lebanon restore its strained ties with the Gulf countries.
The document mentioned several conditions that seemed to be non-starters, such the need to comply with the UN Resolution 1559, which relates, among other things, to “the disbandment and disarmament of militias” and the “extension of the Lebanese government’s control over all its territory,” in reference to Hezbollah’s arms.
A week later, following a meeting of Arab foreign ministers, to which Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah was invited to relay Beirut’s response to the roadmap, Sabah said that the Lebanese document was “under study” and that decisions would be made regarding the follow-up to the Arab imitative.
The next day, Bogdanov and Dhafiri had their telephone conversation.
According to a press release published by the Russian Foreign Ministry, the Kuwaiti deputy foreign minister briefed his interlocutor on the Arab initiative and the outcome of the Arab foreign ministers’ meeting.
Bogdanov expressed “Moscow’s support for Kuwait’s efforts.”
The senior Russian diplomat reiterated his country’s support for “the stability, sovereignty and independence of Lebanon,” the press release read. Bogdanov also called for “all national issues to be resolved within the framework of a dialogue in which all political and religious stakeholders of the country would participate.”
“The Russians are keen on maintaining stability in Lebanon,” a Lebanese diplomat based in Russia told L’Orient-Le Jour.
“That’s why Moscow is in favor of the Kuwaiti proposals,” the source added.
In this vein, a Lebanese political source with knowledge of the dossier, told L’Orient-Le Jour that it is at the initiative of the Kuwaiti diplomat that the phone call was made.
“Moscow insists that priority should be given to ending the country’s economic and financial crisis,” the source said.
For his part, Kuwaiti journalist Mohammad Ruhaimi told L’Orient-Le Jour, “The major powers, especially Russia, which is a permanent member of the UN Security Council, need to be informed about this type of Arab effort.”
Will Hariri meet with Bogdanov next?
In another vein, and a few days after Future Movement leader Saad Hariri — who had received support from Moscow to form a cabinet in 2021 — announced that he is suspending his political career, Bogdanov met yesterday with Georges Chaaban, Hariri’s special envoy to Moscow.
The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement that the meeting was held “at the request of Chaaban,” who “shared with his host Hariri's vision and appraisal of the political, economic and social situation in Lebanon.”
For its part, “the Russian side underscored the importance of Hariri’s role and constant efforts to resolve the pressing Lebanese issues and to deepen the sincere political dialogue between Moscow and Beirut.”
In view of its timing, especially after Hariri’s withdrawal from politics, this meeting raises multiple questions.
“Saad Hariri has not quite disappeared from the political stage, neither at the domestic nor regional levels,” Mustapha Allouche, vice president of the Future Movement, said. He added that Hariri is willing “to serve the country’s interests.”
A source close to Hariri said, “We remain in close contact with Russian officials,” and added, “Although he withdrew from politics, the Sunni leader is a moderate figure to which Russia remains committed.”
According to information received by L’Orient-Le Jour, Bogdanov is likely to visit the United Arab Emirates in the next two weeks. He could meet with Hariri, who is currently based in the UAE.
A source close to the former prime minister said — without confirming the above-mentioned information — that Hariri was supposed to meet with Russia’s deputy foreign minister on Jan. 25, but the meeting had been put off.
This article was originally published in French in L'Orient-Le Jour. Translation by Sahar Ghoussoub and Joelle El Khoury.