Russian envoy warns against "tragic end" of protests in Lebanon

Russian Ambassador to Lebanon Alexander Zasypkin warned on Sunday against a "tragic end" of the protests in Lebanon, NBN local TV Channel reported.

"Protesters and the authorities must reach an agreement urgently to prevent these festive protests from reaching a catastrophic end," Zasypkin said in a televised interview.

Zasypkin emphasized the need to discuss the demands of protesters to avoid further accumulation of social and economic problems.

"People should unite and start a dialogue with President Michel Aoun to find solutions to the current crises," he said.

President Aoun has been calling on protesters to meet with him for an open dialogue to reach an agreement with regard to their demands.

However, protesters insist on staying in the streets before they reach a complete modification of the political system while referring corrupt politicians to courts for trial.

Nationwide protests in Lebanon led to the resignation of Prime Minister Saad Hariri's government for its inability to implement serious reform measures.

A new government is expected to be formed to undertake serious economic reforms.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)