Lavrov in Beijing to step up Mideast co-operation

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov touched down in Beijing on Tuesday where he hopes to boost co-operation on issues including the war in the Middle East. Lavrov arrived in the capital, where he was given a red-carpet welcome, photos by the Russian Foreign Ministry showed. China welcomed a string leaders of countries that have been impacted by the war and its economic fallout on Tuesday, including Vietnam's To Lam and Abu Dhabi's Crown Prince Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Lavrov will hold talks with top diplomat Wang Yi in which the two will "exchange views and co-ordinate positions on the development of bilateral relations, co-operation in various fields, and international and regional issues of common concern", the Foreign Ministry said this week. The Russian foreign ministry said in a statement that the pair would discuss the conflict in Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East. Beijing and Moscow are close economic and political partners, and the relationship has deepened further since Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Wang also held a call with Lavrov on April 5, when the pair agreed Beijing and Moscow would work together to deescalate tensions in the Middle East. Premier Li Qiang meanwhile told the UAE leader that Beijing is "ready to further play a constructive role and contribute to the restoration of peace and tranquility in the Gulf region". (AFP) Edited by Thomas McAlinden