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The message reads as follows:

”Close cooperation between Russia and the countries of the League of Arab States on the very widest range of international and regional issues is already an established tradition. It is based on mutual interest in seeing the Middle East and North Africa firmly embarked on the path of sustainable development, and in ensuring that all states and peoples living in these regions can do so in peace and security.

To achieve our common goal we must work hard. Unfortunately, in various parts of the region there are still many sources of tension and smoldering conflicts which, in turn, create a breeding ground for extremism and terrorism. This situation threatens to degenerate even more if decisions are imposed unilaterally or – even worse – approaches depend on the use of force. I am convinced that solving topical problems on today's international agenda, whether in the Middle East, Africa or Europe, can be done only through the collective efforts of the international community, based on international law and the central coordinating role of the UN.

The key to the normalization of the situation in the region was and still is a comprehensive and just settlement of the Arab-Israeli conflict. The road to lasting peace will be visible when the parties refuse — not just formally but in practice as well — the use of force and unilateral approaches. When they are willing to use the universally recognized norms of international law, including, of course, the Arab peace initiative as a guide to action and when they sit at the negotiating table willing to seek mutually acceptable solutions to existing problems. I would stress that, as before, Russia will work vigorously on all these issues, including on the process of preparing a new meeting on the Middle East, which could be held in Moscow.

We welcome the increased international efforts to normalise the situation in Iraq using the multilateral process initiated in Sharm El-Sheikh in May 2007. Russia has consistently advocated the preservation of the unity and territorial integrity of Iraq and the full restoration of the country's sovereignty when all foreign troops have gone. It is obvious that any final resolution of the Iraqi problem can only be effected through an integrated settlement on the basis of national reconciliation and agreement, taking into account the interests of all ethnic and religious groups and other important political forces in the country.

The task of preserving the sovereignty, political independence and territorial integrity of Lebanon is extremely urgent and must be accomplished without foreign interference of any kind. Overcoming internal differences by using the constitutional framework, engaging in patient dialogue and searching for a national consensus would serve not only the interests of Lebanon but those of the entire Middle East region. For this reason, we support the initiative of your authoritative organisation concerning the Lebanese settlement.

One of our priorities is to ensure security and stability in the strategically important Gulf region. This can be done by coordinating the collective efforts of all stakeholders in order to address the problems of the region, including the Iranian nuclear programme, and to develop confidence-building measures. As you know, Russia has revitalized the concept of regional security, which in the long run we see as part of the post-conflict arrangements for the entire Middle East.

Finally, I want to emphasise that the development of cooperation between Russia and the countries that are members of your influential organisation remains one of our priorities. This cooperation will continue to serve the interests of peace and security and significantly contribute to solving the serious problems in the region.”