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Medvedev welcomes signs of stabilization in Middle East

© RIA Novosti / Go to the mediabank Medvedev welcomes signs of stabilization in Middle East
 Medvedev welcomes signs of stabilization in Middle East  - Sputnik International
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Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has welcomed signs of a "steady normalization" in Iraq, the Kremlin press service said on Saturday.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has welcomed signs of a "steady normalization" in Iraq, the Kremlin press service said on Saturday.

"According to our estimates, through mechanisms of dialogue the situation there [in Iraq] can and should acquire conditions for a steady normalization," Medvedev said in his message to Arab leaders, who gathered in Libya for the annual Arab League summit earlier in the day.

"[We] hope that the recent parliamentary elections will be an important step towards the consolidation of Iraqi society, strengthening of sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of the country."

Polling on March 7, the second since the 2003 U.S.-led overthrow of Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein and intended to bring stability to the war-shattered nation, was complicated with explosions, leaving at least 36 people dead.

Medvedev said that Russia would continue cooperating with Libya's "constructive powers" to build on the results achieved in improving the country's political situation.

"It is important to keep up the momentum," he said.

Libya has experienced a dramatic economic and political rehabilitation in recent years, paving the way for closer relations with Russia and the West.

Medvedev also noted positive changes in Sudan.

"Along with the Arab League member-states, [we] are in favor of a speedy political solution to the Darfur problem. [We] will continue to actively participate in this process. [We] pay attention to the issue of securing stability in the Persian Gulf zone."

"To this end [we] will continue to push through a concept to create a security system in this region, involving all of the countries in the region, with the support of other interested parties."

The civil war that broke out in the western region of Darfur in early 2003 has claimed the lives of more than 300,000, according to United Nations estimates, and forced 2.7 million people from their homes. The Sudanese side puts the number of dead at 10,000.

Several Sudanese rebel groups have recently signed peace accords with the government in Khartoum but a key rebel group, the Sudan Liberation Army, has so far rejected negotiations with Khartoum and fought fierce clashes with the Sudanese army earlier this month.

Russia has been maintaining a peacekeeping contingent in the war-torn country since April 2006 as part of the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS).

MOSCOW, March 27 (RIA Novosti) 

 

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