Business types: Russia and Lebanon are preparing to strengthen business contacts

Russia and Lebanon can step up their trade and economic partnership. The Russian Federation is awaiting the appointment of the Lebanese co-chairman of the intergovernmental commission, whose work was interrupted due to a series of crises faced by the republic. After that, the work on the dates of the new meeting will begin. This was reported to Izvestia by Russian Ambassador to Lebanon Alexander Rudakov. According to him, the parties will discuss measures to stimulate business and update the contractual framework. According to a Lebanese source, Beirut wants to involve Russia in the reconstruction of the country along with Western countries. The current situation in the republic remains difficult. The diplomat described the tense situation on the Lebanese-Syrian border, with Israeli airstrikes worsening the situation in the area.

What are Russia and Lebanon cooperating on

Today, when the first signs of normalization have emerged in the republic, Russia and Lebanon are once again returning to the issues of intensifying trade and economic partnership. Alexander Rudakov, the Russian ambassador to the country, told Izvestia about this.

— We are awaiting the appointment of a new chairman of the Lebanese part of the IPC. In the future, we will work on the dates of the next meeting of the IPC (Intergovernmental Commission)," the diplomat said.

The ambassador added that during the meeting, a set of necessary updated measures for the development of Russian-Lebanese business ties, including the improvement of the relevant contractual and legal framework, will be carefully studied and approved.

The last meeting of the intergovernmental commission, as the diplomat emphasized, took place in 2018 in Beirut. At that time, the countries put on paper concrete steps to develop bilateral business ties, but the implementation of these plans was threatened by a series of crises.

— The mass protests that broke out in Lebanon in 2019, the resignation of the government, the financial crisis, the spread of coronavirus infection and a series of other crisis phenomena, including military operations on the territory of the republic and in the Middle East region, led to a significant slowdown in the dynamics of bilateral cooperation, — said Alexander Rudakov.

At the same time, the Russian side did not stop looking for options for cooperation.

— Despite the decline in business activity, the embassy continued to look for opportunities to involve Russian companies in the implementation of commercial projects in Lebanon. We remained open to suggestions from the local business community," said the Russian Ambassador.

How can the Russian Federation be useful to Lebanon

Anton Shalaev, Head of the Federal Agency for Technical Regulation and Metrology, has been appointed co-chairman of the intergovernmental commission from the Russian side. Given that the Lebanese Minister of Economy and Trade, Amin Salam, was previously the co-chairman of the IPC, it can be assumed that the commission's economic agenda is closely related to energy. Lebanon, which is facing a shortage of energy resources, is interested in cooperation with Russia as a major supplier of oil and gas, as well as in developing joint projects in the field of electric power.

There is an acute shortage of fuel and electricity in the country, and Russian companies have successful experience in this field. In addition, Russian products, from grain to medicines, are traditionally in demand in Lebanon, which opens up additional opportunities for export growth.

A Lebanese parliamentary source noted in an interview with Izvestia that Lebanon wants, along with American and Western countries in general, to involve Russia in the reconstruction of the country.

The situation in the republic

However, Lebanon has not yet overcome all the crisis phenomena. Israel continues to violate the terms of the truce, maintaining troops in five positions on the territory of the republic. In addition, clashes broke out in eastern Lebanon on the border with Syria. After the change of power in the SAR in December 2024, the Lebanese had concerns about the course of the new leadership in Damascus. However, as the Russian ambassador noted, these fears turned out to be groundless.

— Both sides had a constructive conversation at the level of top officials and agreed to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of both neighboring states, - said Alexander Rudakov.

Mutual understanding made it possible to build coordination at key border crossings, including the Masnaa crossing located on the main highway between Beirut and Damascus, where it was possible to establish cooperation between the border services. This has greatly simplified the movement of people and goods, as well as reduced tensions in the border areas.

Nevertheless, tensions remain high in the northeastern part of Lebanon.

— Where the control of local authorities has always been low and where cases of smuggling have traditionally been recorded, the situation is still tense. It is in this zone that clashes between members of various interest groups from among local clans and criminal structures break out every now and then," the Russian diplomat noted.

Additionally, the situation is being destabilized by sporadic Israeli airstrikes "under the pretext of countering the allegedly ongoing illegal import of weapons into Lebanon from Syria," Alexander Rudakov added.

Influence post: Israel may postpone IDF withdrawal from Lebanon

The army intends to remain in five positions in the south of the republic

The Ambassador stressed that the new Government of Lebanon, headed by Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, has identified as one of its main tasks the restoration of state control over the entire territory of the republic. This, according to the diplomat, can be the key to stabilization, including on the Lebanese-Syrian border.

Retired Lebanese Brigadier General George Nader, in an interview with Izvestia, explained that tensions on the border between Lebanon and Syria are caused by several factors. One of the key issues was the lack of an official demarcation of the border, especially in the eastern section, which remains controversial. This creates the ground for incidents, aggravated by the historically established ties of the population on both sides of the line.

— There are villages in this zone on Syrian territory that were ruled by Hezbollah and the former government of the SAR, and Lebanese live in these villages. The new Syrian government is taking a hostile stance towards Hezbollah. Clashes broke out, and the residents of these villages fled deep into Lebanon," said George Nader.

Another factor of destabilization, according to the expert, is considered to be smuggling, which is actively conducted in both directions. This process involves not only individual smugglers, but also organized criminal groups, which increases the level of violence at the border. In response to the escalation, the Lebanese army decided to intervene and take control of the situation by force.

However, the main problem lies in the absence of an official military body in Syria with which to coordinate security measures. Despite the formation of the so-called General Security Forces created by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), it is recognized as a terrorist organization in Russia and banned. — Ed.) and other armed groups, this structure does not have the necessary organizational integrity, said George Nader.

It is unlikely that without overcoming these crisis phenomena, Lebanon will be able to reach a development trajectory, since investors will not want to risk their funds. For example, in January, Dubai-based billionaire Khalaf Al-Habtour announced the cancellation of all planned investments in Lebanon due to the ongoing instability in the country.