Russia is looking for opportunities to help Lebanon cope with the coronavirus pandemic – negotiations on the supply of the Sputnik V vaccine are going on at the state and commercial levels, Russian Ambassador to Beirut Alexander Rudakov said in an interview with RIA Novosti.
“There is good progress – a corresponding law has been passed, the Lebanese government has legalized the import and use of vaccines, including the domestic Sputnik V. We hope that the results of negotiations, both on the state line and commercial structures, will help the Lebanese fight COVID as soon as possible”, – said Rudakov.
The head of the Russian diplomatic mission noted that even in the difficult conditions of the pandemic, the work necessary for Russian-Lebanese relations on their further development was not interrupted.
“It is difficult for everyone, it is not a secret. Nevertheless, Russia is looking for ways and opportunities to help. Beirut was the first to offer to organize the supply of Russian anti-coronavirus drugs”, – the ambassador added.
A scientific commission under the Lebanese Ministry of Health approved on February 5 the use of the Russian Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine. Lebanese Foreign Minister Sharbel Wahbe on Thursday appealed to the Russian government with a request to provide 200 thousand doses of coronavirus vaccine in the form of assistance, the press service of the Lebanese Foreign Ministry said on Thursday.
Since the beginning of the year, there has been a sharp increase in the number of coronavirus cases in the country, as well as an increase in mortality among patients. The Lebanese authorities associate the deterioration of the situation with the irresponsible attitude of the population towards the measures recommended by the Ministry of Health and the holding of mass events during the New Year holidays.
As part of the emergency, a curfew was maintained across the country from January 14 to February 8, with the closure of all public and private enterprises, with the exception of hospitals. Grocery stores were open only in delivery mode until 17.00 local time. Since Monday, the authorities announced the phased lifting of restrictions.
The number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in Lebanon has reached 321,980. Over the past day, 2,063 new infections have been detected, 61 patients with COVID-19 have died in the last 24 hours. The country is home to 4.5 million local people and 2 million Syrian and Palestinian refugees.