MOSCOW, October 12. /TASS/. Moscow is always ready to support its Lebanese friends and will continue to provide humanitarian assistance to Beirut, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said as he opened talks with Lebanese Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants Youssef Rajji.

"I would like to express my sincere gratitude to you for finding the opportunity to visit Russia at a time when Lebanon and the Lebanese people are facing a very severe crisis resulting from the military operations and military escalation that Israel is conducting against your country. In this regard, I would like to unequivocally reiterate Russia’s fundamental position in favor of ensuring Lebanon’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity," Lavrov emphasized.

According to the top Russian diplomat, Moscow and Beirut have traditionally maintained friendly relations. "We have always been ready to support our Lebanese friends, including in the current situation, where almost one million Lebanese citizens have been seriously affected, with their rights violated, and the humanitarian situation in Lebanon remaining tense," Lavrov said.

"In April, we sent humanitarian aid to your country for those in need, and we will continue to provide further assistance through humanitarian supplies," he added.