⋯ This matter brings to mind what Lebanon suffered through during Israel’s 22-year occupation of the country, as well as the annexation of the Shebaa farms – a move that was in fact recognized and supported by the US.

⋯ This pressure was called out by the Russian embassy in Lebanon, which considered the actions of the US to be hypocritical, and expressed dissatisfaction with Lebanon’s treatment of Russia.

⋯ Russian diplomatic sources informed Al-Akhbar that Moscow’s political response to Lebanon will be dependent on the position Beirut takes at the UN, giving Lebanon the freedom to choose the status of their relationship.

⋯ “Let Lebanon do what it deems appropriate for its interests, and Russia will do what it deems appropriate in response,”

Russia considers itself a friendly country to Lebanon but their relationship has yet to recover from the earlier vote against Russia’s military operation.

Now: The Israeli security-political cabinet convened to vote on the maritime border agreement with Lebanon.

⋯ The cabinet votes in favor of the demarcation agreement with Lebanon.

Ayelet Shaked abstained.

82 MPs arrive at the parliament for the 2nd vote to elect a new president.

Hezbullah and its allies will vote with a white paper, as no candidate is able to get enough votes to win yet.