BEIRUT, Nov. 24 (Xinhua) -- Russian Ambassador to Lebanon Alexander Zasypkin highlighted Friday the "proper functioning of institutions" for the Lebanese people to decide their fate without external interference.
"The Lebanese government and state institutions must be effective in the social and economic fields in preparation for the upcoming parliamentary elections," said Zasypkin in his meeting with Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri at the latter's residence, according to a statement by Hariri's media office.
The Russian ambassador also said Russia is working within the framework of the International Support Group for Lebanon to guide the country to self-sufficiency.
Concessions would have to be made by all parties, he noted.
"As Speaker Nabih Berri has said, each side must concede as part of the road to reach common ground," the statement quoted Zasypkin as saying.
On France's role in Lebanon's political crisis, Zasypkin said it is helping "mediate."
France has played a leading role in easing Lebanon's political crisis following Hariri's announced resignation on Nov. 4 in a televised statement in the Saudi capital Riyadh.
Lebanese President Michel Aoun did not accept Hariri's resignation by accusing Saudi Arabia of putting Hariri under house arrest, saying it was "an act of aggression against Lebanon."
Hariri, however, left Riyadh on Nov. 18 and headed to Paris where he met with French President Emmanuel Macron, before leaving on Nov. 21 to Cairo to meet with Egyptian President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi.
He arrived in Beirut late Tuesday night to participate in Independence Day celebrations a day later.
On Wednesday, he told the press that he had put his resignation on hold upon the request of Aoun following a meeting with the president.
