Moscow - Russian Foreign Minister Mr Igor Ivanov yesterday warned of the danger of a "major war" in the Middle East and urged parliament to restrain anti-Israeli anger and take a cautious approach to the region's problems.
The State Duma backed down from condemning Israel and supported a carefully worded statement on the Middle East after hearing Mr Ivanov's appeal.
Mr Ivanov, who met both Palestinian President Yasser Arafat and Israeli Prime Minister Mr Ehud Barak earlier this week, urged deputies to show restraint, saying careful diplomacy was needed.
He said Russia planned to remain a co-sponsor of Middle East peace talks and would act as a mediator seeking the release of three Israelis held by Lebanon's Hizbollah guerrillas.