Gorbachev registers new party

The former Soviet President, Mikhail Gorbachev, has officially registered his Russian Social Democratic Party --opening the way for it to contest future elections.

Mr Gorbachev said he wanted to create a large, well-organised and very democratic party.

He said it would support liberal values and help to rescue Russia from extremism. Mr Gorbachev later spoke on the telephone with President Putin.

A spokesman for his Gorbachev Foundation said that they discussed a wide range of issues.

Speaking to reporters, Mr Gorbachev said it was too early to judge the new president -- but he cautioned Mr Putin against trying to control the press.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service