The acting Russian President Vladimir Putin has called on the newly elected lower house of parliament, the State Duma, to abandon confrontation and work together with him to produce legislation vital for economic development.

"I am convinced that we will never have success in our joint endeavours unless we work in harness. More often than not we quarrel over insignificant matters," Mr Putin told the chamber.

"An end must therefore be proclaimed to the notion of political battles and personal ambitions. A policy of co-operation and mutually agreed restraints is the only one possible."

Mr Putin said Russia was entering "a new stage of development", which required the rapid passage of well-considered legislation without procedural delays.

He highlighted several pieces of legislation needing quick treatment, including laws on land and labour, a criminal and civil code, provision for an alternative to military service and acts governing investment funds, pay and social services.

"I understand very well that the legislative process cannot be overloaded", he said, "and that is why it is so important to determine priorities correctly and to join together in debating those objectives which really are urgent for the state and for society."

Favourite for president

Communists make up the largest faction in the new Duma, elected last month. But there are larger groups who back Mr Putin or are ready to support him ahead of the presidential election on 26 March in which he is the favourite.

Mr Putin was almost unknown in Russia before his appointment last August as Russia's fifth prime minister in 17 months and became acting president after Boris Yeltsin's unexpected New Year's Eve resignation.

He has built much of his widespread popularity on an uncompromising stand in pursuing Muslim rebels in Chechnya and by portraying himself as a tough figure intent on restoring firm central authority in the post-Soviet era.

Critics say his experience has been limited to overseeing the Chechnya campaign and his previous work in the security services.