The Latest: Lebanon PM to attend first match of World Cup

BEIRUT – Lebanon’s Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri has travelled to Moscow to attend the first match of the 2018 World Cup pitting host country Russia against the national team of his longtime backer Saudi Arabia.

Hariri is expected to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Wednesday, Hariri’s office said.

Lebanese media is reporting that Hariri is also expected to meet with Saudi’s Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman in Russia. The Lebanese politician is expected to discuss with bin Salman his efforts to form a new government back home, which are at an impasse amid political haggling.