MOSCOW, March 1 (RIA Novosti) - Russia condemns a recent terrorist act in western Iraq and is ready for close cooperation with all the interested sides in order to resolve the crisis in the country, the Foreign Ministry's official spokesman said.
Eighteen children and teenagers aged 10-15 were killed in a blast near a football field in the western city of Ramadi February 27.
Mikhail Kamynin said Wednesday that the tragedy in Ramadi highlights "the need for a resolute breakthrough toward a political settlement of the Iraqi crisis."
He said police and military operations are insufficient to stop violence and terrorism in Iraq.
"We are convinced that the path to the normalization of the situation in the country lies through the achievement of real national reconciliation and accord," Kamynin said.
He said the Iraqi people should overcome religious and ethnic contradictions "to face the challenges that emerged as a result of foreign military intervention."
