Russian parliament backs land reform

The Russian parliament has approved a bill allowing the free sale of land - something that was long forbidden under communism.

The legislation, which excludes farmland, was strongly backed by President Vladimir Putin.

But it was bitterly opposed by the Communist Party and the Russian Orthodox Church.

They were particularly critical of foreigners being allowed to buy land, which the bill now permits so long as it is not in border areas.

The bill still has to pass a final reading in parliament, but correspondents say this is largely a formality. It then has to be approved by the Federation Council and signed by President Putin.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service