BEIRUT: Russian Ambassador to Lebanon Alexander Zasypkin hopes for the resumption of the suspended Arab League observer mission in Syria, and is urging countries to avoid drastic action in response to the uprising against President Bashar Assad.

“We seek to restore stability as soon as possible and implement democratic reforms immediately. We hope to restart the Arab observer mission and we urge everyone to take balanced positions,” Zasypkin told reporters after his meeting with Lebanon’s Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour.

“I reassured [Mansour] that Russia's efforts throughout this difficult phase aim at a peaceful resolution of the internal Syrian conflict in accordance with the interest of all Syrians,” he added.

The Arab League suspended its observer mission in Syria in late January due to escalating violence. The mission's goal was to monitor Syria's implementation of an Arab League initiative aimed at ending the 10-month crisis in the troubled country.

On Saturday, both Russia and China vetoed a proposed U.N. Security Council resolution prepared by the West and Arab countries that condemned Assad’s lethal crackdown on anti-government protesters. According to the U.N., the crackdown has killed over 6,000 people, mostly civilians.

Assad maintains that the deaths have been at the hands of armed anti-government gangs, vowing to crush them.

Zasypkin also praised the high level of understanding between Russia and Lebanon regarding the Syrian situation. Prime Minister Najib Mikati’s government continues to disassociate itself from policies and resolutions against Syria.

“There should be a broader vision of what is happening in Syria ... efforts should be made to normalize the situation,” the Russian envoy said.

As for the visit to Syria by Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who arrived in Damascus on Tuesday, Zasypkin said he did not have information regarding the content of the meeting between Lavrov and Assad.

“We hope that positions within the Arab community remain balanced,” Zasypkin said.