Russia cautiously backs new Palestinan poll-Ifax

MOSCOW, Dec 18 (Reuters) Russia gave a cautious nod today to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's proposal to hold early elections, but said safeguarding a truce with Israel was paramount, Interfax news agency reported.

''The new initiative by Mahmoud Abbas will allow for the introduction of new nuances in the evolution of the political situation on the Palestinian territories,'' it quoted foreign ministry spokesman Mikhail Kamynin as saying.

''However, we still maintain that the Palestinian party should do everything not to undermine recent ceasefire agreements with Israel,'' he added.

Abbas called on Saturday for fresh elections in a move intended to break a political deadlock with the Islamist group Hamas which controls the government, and get Western sanctions on his administration lifted.

REUTERS LL HT1730