Russia's President Vladimir Putin (right) and Lebanon's Prime Minister Fouad Siniora meet in Moscow, yesterday. (REUTERS)

MOSCOW • Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora met yesterday with President Vladimir Putin in a bid to get Moscow to pressure Syria over political unrest in Beirut, seen by Siniora as a Damascus-backed coup attempt.

The Lebanese premier arrived late on Thursday in Moscow as supporters of the Syrian-backed Shi’ite group Hezbollah and its Christian allies continued mass demonstrations in Beirut against his Western-backed government.

Putin told Siniora in the Kremlin that Moscow was deeply concerned about the “difficult internal political situation that has arisen in Lebanon. We hope that our Lebanese friends can resolve all problems.”

However, the Russian leader made no direct reference to the controversial role of Syria, with which Russia has close political and economic links, including in the sale of weapons.

On arriving overnight, Siniora urged Moscow to help smoothen Lebanese-Syrian relations. “I think Russia can exert some pressure in this direction,” he was quoted as saying by the Interfax news agency.

The Lebanese prime minister’s arch rival, Syrian President Bashar Al Assad, is also due to fly to the Russian capital on Monday for a three-day visit, underlining the Kremlin’s special position in the Middle East.

Moscow is eager to reassert its influence in the region, which has dwindled since the Soviet era.