Challenge UN sanctions, Duma tells Putin

Parliament in Russia has called on President Putin to formally declare that sanctions on Iraq are useless, and to order the government to restore economic ties.

The vote was overwhelming; but correspondents point out that it is non-binding, and the Russian government has already said it will not unilaterally break the United Nations embargo.

Russia was among the many states which condemned last week's air raid on Baghdad by American and British aircraft.

Meanwhile, the Iraqi deputy foreign minister, Nizar Hamdoon, is in France -- which has also criticised the raid and the sanctions.

French officials are urging Baghdad to resume full cooperation with the United Nations.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service