Putin gets details of smooth evacuation from Iraq

The first stage of Russia's evacuation of its nationals from Iraq has proceeded without incident, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov reported Monday to President Vladimir Putin and the rest of the cabinet, the Russian presidential press office reported.

Lavrov was quoted as saying: 'We forced no one to leave, every decision was made by the individual involved in consultation with his company. No contracts have been broken. All remain in effect. Work will resume as soon as that can be done safely. The situation remains difficult. It is too early to talk of improvement.'