Russia regrets execution of Saddam's deputy

Moscow, Mar 20 (UNI) Regretting the execution of former Iraqi Vice President Taha Yassin Ramadan, Russia today said it would not help in restoring stability in the country.

''We voice our regret over the execution of the former Vice President of Iraq and once again stress that such actions will not help normalise the situation in the country,'' the official spokesman for the Russian Foreign Ministry Mikhail Kamynin told Interfax news agency.

''Only the launch of an effective dialogue involving all forces inside Iraq and the international community, including Iraq's neighbours, can make a real contribution to the normalization of the situation in Iraq, primarily in the sphere of security,'' Kamynin further said.

Ramadan's execution coincided with the fourth anniversary of the invasion of Iraq by US-led coalition force.

UNI