MOSCOW, May 20 (RIA Novosti) - Russia is deeply concerned over the situation in Lebanon and hopes for the termination of bloodshed in the Middle East country, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement Sunday.
Fierce fighting broke out May 20 between the Lebanese army and the Al Qaeda-linked Fatah-al-Islam militant group in northern Lebanon, in which several people were killed and dozens wounded. The clashes occurred at the Nahr-al-Bared Palestinian refugee camp.
"This flare-up of violence against the backdrop of the tense situation in Lebanon causes deep concern," the statement said.
The tragic developments confirm the need for all the parties to show respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, unity and political independence of Lebanon under the united and exclusive power of the Lebanese government on the country's entire territory as sealed in decisions made by the international community, the statement said.
