Russia supports Abbas leadership

Mr Putin clearly stated his preference for Mr Abbas

Russia has shown strong support for Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, who held talks with Mr Abbas in Moscow, called him the "legitimate leader of all Palestinians".

Russia has simultaneously announced it was lowering its contacts with the militant group Hamas.

Mr Abbas, who leads the Fatah movement, has been in dispute with his Hamas rivals whose supporters took control of the Gaza Strip six weeks ago.

"I want to assure you that Russia will support you," Mr Putin told Mr Abbas.

"I am convinced that you will do everything to restore the unity of the Palestinian people," he said after talks.

'Lowered' ties

Russia is a member of the Quartet - along with the US, UN, EU - which is trying to work towards a political settlement between Israel and the Palestinians.

Moscow established high-level contacts with Hamas after it won Palestinian elections last year, as Western powers shunned the group over its refusal to recognise Israel and renounce violence.

Russia's first deputy foreign minister said contacts with Hamas had been "somewhat lowered" and there are no high-level meetings in prospect.

Mr Abbas dismissed the Hamas-led government last month after the Islamic group won the struggle for the Gaza Strip.