Russia concerned about Lebanon growing tensions

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich Tuesday urged Lebanese politicians to \"be restrained and show high patriotic responsibility at this critical time for the country and the region.\" Lukashevich called on Lebanese people not to follow those who wish to \"sow seeds of inter-confessional strife and trouble\" in their country. \"We hope that the government of Lebanon and Lebanese security agencies will take all necessary measures, while acting in accordance with the law, to restore calm in the country and preserve civil peace and unity,\" the Russian official said. \'\'The escalating internal tensions in Lebanon is raising \"serious concerns\" in Moscow, Russian Foreign Ministry has said in a statement released by the Russian Itar-Tass news agency today. It is noted that eleven people died last week in north Lebanon as clashes erupted between residents of Bab al-Tabbaneh, opposed to the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, and supporters from the Alawite-dominated neighborhood of Jabal Mohse. Continuing over three days, clashes prompted army deployment to end the violence. Renewed clashes in Beirut over the murder of a prominent anti Syrian regime Sunni cleric sparked further violence, killing two people and wounding 18 in the process. For his part, UN special coordinator for Lebanon Derek Plumbly has voiced his concern over the escalation, calling on all sides to end the violence. \"Differences must be addressed through dialogue, not resort to violence,\" Plumbly said in a statement on Monday.