Lebanese President Emile Lahoud said Thursday that if the situations in Iraq and Palestine continue worsening, the Middle East at large may be plunged into turmoil.

When meeting with visiting Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Sultanov, Lahoud said the countries in this area will pay a high price for the unstable and complicated situation, which is harmful to the international community.

Lebanon and Syria were also under a huge pressure, he said without explaining the source of the pressure.

As to his country's parliamentary elections scheduled for May 29, Lahoud said the government will provide security and logistic support to ensure a transparent and just election.

The president said he hoped that a new government formed after the election could represent various political parties, consolidate Lebanon's unification, and seek appropriate solutions to economic and social problems.

Sultanov made clear Russia's views on the situation in the Middle East, saying Russia will adhere to a stance of safeguarding Lebanon's sovereignty, independence, unification and stability.

Russia opposed foreign countries' interference in Lebanon's internal affairs, he noted.

Sultanov arrived in Beirut on Tuesday after a tour to Egypt and some other Middle East countries.

Source: Xinhua