BEIRUT, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- Russian Ambassador to Lebanon Alexander Zasypkin said Friday that Russia and Lebanon have a common will to boost military cooperation, local media reported.

"We have been discussing this cooperation in the past few years and there is still possibility for negotiations in this regard, Zasypkin was quoted as saying in an interview by Elnashra, an online independent newspaper.

Zasybkin said that Lebanese authorities have not yet responded to Russia's offer for a military donation to Lebanon.

"We are waiting for the Lebanese authorities to decide whether they will accept the Russia donation or not while we cannot impose this issue. We have offered a donation and we are waiting for the response," he said.

Local newspaper Al-Akhbar had published earlier that Lebanon turned down a long-standing offer of Russia military aid to avoid causing concern from the United States which is a major backer of the Lebanese army.

However, the office of Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri issued a statement by the end of November confirming that Lebanon will accept military aid consisting of millions of Kalashnikov bullets by Russia.

"The news published by Al-Akhbar is false," said the statement, adding that the Russians have been informed of Lebanon's approval to receive this aid. Enditem

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