RAMALLAH, October 26 (RIA Novosti) - Russia urges the Palestinian and Israeli leaders to hold a bilateral meeting, the Russian foreign minister said Wednesday.
"We back the resumption of direct dialogue between Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon," Sergei Lavrov said. "Such a meeting would be timely and useful."
He also said Russia, Palestine, and Israel should unite in their anti-terrorist efforts.
The minister said Russia hailed Sharon's courageous decision to withdraw Israeli settlements from the West Bank and Gaza, as well as Palestine's efforts to prevent violence and terrorism.
