Russia demands US explanation on military build-up in W Asia: Lavrov

Moscow, Jan 27 (UNI) Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov today demanded an explanation from the United States on its growing military presence in West Asia.

''I have not seen any change in Washington's rather assertive tone. It continues, as the US continues to build its military presence in the region,'' Mr Lavrov told mediapersons here, ahead of a ministerial meeting of the 'Quartet', the four international mediators in the Arab-Israeli conflict, in Washington, early next month.

At the Washington meeting, the UN will be represented by its new Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, while German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier will represent the 27-nation EU. Currently, Germany holds the EU's rotating presidency.

The previous 'Quartet' ministerial meeting took place on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session in New York, in September 2006.

The participants expressed their support for efforts by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to form a national unity government and urged radical Islamist movement Hamas to recognise Israel's right to exist, renounce violence, and implement the 2003 ''roadmap'' peace plan, which provides for a two-state solution to the West Asia conflict.

EDS: Pick up suitably from earlier series.

UNI