Russian Foreign Minister discusses Mideast situation with Arab League leadership

Foreign Minister of Russia Igor Ivanov discussed the situation in the Middle East in a telephone conversation with Arab League Secretary General Amr Musa. Both expressed concern over a new round of confrontation with the use of force around the Palestinian territories and stressed the need for urgent and energetic efforts by all the parties concerned to stabilize the situation in the region as soon as possible. They especially emphasized that Israel and Palestine should start actually fulfilling the Roadmap provisions.

The Russian Foreign Minister and the Arab League Secretary General exchanged views on prospects of settlement in Iraq. Igor Ivanov and Amr Musa stressed that all political forces in Iraq should be consolidated for setting up effective transition power bodies in the country.

They agreed to maintain regular contacts with each other.