Russia Has Not Received Request From Lebanon to Join War Against Terrorism

Beirut has not requested Moscow's help in its fight against terrorism, Russia's top diplomat said.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Beirut has not turned to Moscow with a request for help in the fight against terrorism, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Wednesday.

“There have not been any requests so we’re not reviewing anything at the moment. We fully respect Lebanon’s sovereign right to decide for itself its method of providing for its security,” Lavrov said during a joint press conference with Lebanese Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil in Moscow.

On Thursday, twin blasts hit Beirut’s Burj al-Barajneh neighborhood. At least 43 people died and 239 were injured, according to the Red Cross. The Islamic State jihadist group claimed responsibility for the attack.

Following the attack, Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a telegram of condolence to Nabih Berri, speaker of the Lebanese Parliament, stressing that Russia is ready for close cooperation with the country's authorities in the fight against terrorism.

On Sunday, Lebanese security services detained alleged organizers and accomplices in the recent terrorist attacks in the southern suburbs of Beirut — seven Syrians and two Lebanese citizens.