Putin, Bush want end to violence in West Asia

Moscow, July 15: US President George W Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin today called for an immediate end to violence in West Asia.

''We believe Israel's concerns are justified, but the use of force must be balanced,'' Mr Putin said at a televised joint press conference after his talks with Mr Bush in St Petersburg.

The US President arrived in St Petersburg yesterday ahead of the G-8 summit, scheduled for July 15-17.

''Bloodshed must be stopped as soon as possible,'' Mr Putin said emphatically, answering a question about the escalation of conflict between Israel and Lebanon.

More than 60 Lebanese have been killed in Israel's military offensive on Lebanon, after Lebanon-based Islamist group Hezbollah took two Israelis hostage on Wednesday. Israeli war planes have also bombed the Gaza Strip.

The Russian President also condemned attempts to attain any goals using force and by means of abductions and attacks on sovereign states.

''The escalation of violence, in our opinion, will not lead to positive results,'' he said, adding it was necessary not only to stop military operations but also create ''a favourable situation for Israel's development within safe borders and in secure conditions,'' and build an independent Palestinian state.

Mr Bush said the US and Russia shared similar concerns in West Asia and urged Hezbollah to end their attacks.

He stressed that Syria should put pressure on Hezbollah and force it to stop violence in West Asia.

Mr Putin added Russia and the US proposed holding a conference in Vienna in 2007 on an anti-terrorism partnership of states, civil society and business.

UNI