"The Russian Foreign Ministry is concerned about the growing tensions in Iraq and reinforcement of military operations leading to numerous victims among civilians," Mr. Fedotov noted.
According to him, the outburst of violence has a negative influence on the work of the Iraqi nationwide conference. "In this connection, we should support the proposal to send representatives of the conference to An Najaf to negotiate with Shiite leaders," the diplomat said.
In his opinion, the achievement of nationwide accord by all political means is a necessary condition of Iraq's stabilization and all Iraqi political forces, including the opposition, should be involved in it.
Russia's proposal to hold an international conference on Iraq remains vital, Yuri Fedotov stressed.
He believes that last week's resolution of the UN Security Council on Iraq is still up-to-date, although the situation in this country is changing rapidly.
