Iraq issue tops OIC-Russia talks

The situation in Iraq and the Middle East and the fight against terrorism topped talks in Moscow between Secretary general of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), Abdelouahed Belkziz and Russian foreign minister, Igor Ivanov, said Tuesday spokesman for the Russian foreign ministry, Alexandre Yakovenko.

"We hope it will have a positive impact on the development of our relations with the OIC," said Yakovenko, adding that Moscow wants to diversify its contacts with the organization for international peace and security.

Talks also dealt with the role of Moslems in Russia and means to normalize the situation in Chechnya.

Russia's Moslem population exceeds 20 million people, and it is important to foster understanding and cooperation with the OIC on a number of international and regional problems, the spokesman said, adding that the organization insists on the necessity to distinguish between Islam and terrorism, and counts on Russia's support in this matter.