Powell holds 'constructive' talks with Ivanov

The American Secretary of State, Colin Powell, has had his first talks with his Russian counterpart, Igor Ivanov, since taking office.

The two men met in the Egyptian capital, Cairo, where Mr Powell is beginning a six nation tour of the Middle East.

Mr Powell described the meeting as excellent.

Mr Ivanov said the talks were constructive, but he acknowledged that it was beyond expectations to resolve all their differences in one meeting.

Mr Powell reaffirmed Washington's intention to ensure that the threat from Iraq was contained; he said that the Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein was a danger not only to the United States but also the whole Middle East.

The Russians have joined many Arab states in criticising American and British air raids on Iraq. Correspondents say that other contentious issues include American plans to develop a national missile defence shield, as well as concerns in Washington about Russian sales of missile technology to North Korea and Iran.

Mr Powell is having further talks with the Egyptian President, Hosni Mubarak, before leaving for Jerusalem.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service